Brendan Howlin
Question:38 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 20 February 2002 in Madrid with his Spanish counterpart. [9902/02]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
I had very useful and comprehensive discussions with my Spanish colleague in Madrid on 20 February. This meeting was a timely opportunity to review with the Spanish Presidency the current EU fisheries agenda. The key issues include the review of the Common Fisheries Policy, technical conservation measures, fleet policy, management measures for deep-sea species, and recovery programmes for cod and hake stocks. We agreed to encourage enhanced liaison between Spain and Ireland on fisheries matters including co-operation on fisheries control.
I outlined the Irish perspective on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. We confirmed our shared view that the Commission's Green Paper did not take adequate account of the socio-economic dimensions of fisheries policy and that CFP reform must address the interests of fishermen and the coastal regions which depend on fisheries. In that context we agreed that the strategic alliance on common themes with our French, Italian, Portuguese and Greek colleagues should continue to press the case for a genuine social chapter in the Common Fisheries Policy.
We also recorded common ground in relation to the long-term cod and hake stocks recovery programmes where we agreed that the Commission's proposals are not sufficiently well-developed. We agreed on the need to develop closer contacts between Irish and Spanish fishermen. In order to foster greater dialogue and co-operation between Irish and Spanish fishermen we intend to develop a programme of industry exchange visits, beginning with a visit to Spain by the fishing industry within the next few months.