Vol. 571 No. 4
172 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the alternative strategies he will be prepared to consider for the future of Irish fisheries to those currently being implemented and proposed under the Common Fisheries Policy. [22069/03]
Following protracted and difficult negotiations at last December's Fisheries Council, agreement was ultimately reached by EU Ministers on a new basic Common Fisheries Policy regulation. This new regulation will govern EU fisheries policy over the next decade and accordingly the question of considering alternative strategies to that framework does not arise.
Ireland participated in the reform process in an extremely active manner and the reform package finally agreed contains many of the recommendations of Ireland's national strategy review group. In this regard, it is appropriate to draw particular attention to an action plan to address the problem of the discarding of juvenile fish catches, stronger control and enforcement, continued recognition of Ireland's entitlements for additional quotas under the so-called ‘Hague Preferences' and new regional advisory councils giving fishermen a strong voice in shaping future fisheries policy at EU level.
Throughout the CFP reform process, intensive consultation was maintained by my Department with all of the leading players in the Irish fishing industry. I believe that this high level of consultation played a significant role in ensuring the best possible outcome in all the circumstances from an Irish perspective.
Now that the overall legislative framework is in place for the next decade, the immediate challenges concern the implementation of a series of regulations giving effect to the new CFP. A new fleet management EU policy was adopted in August 2003, which has to a significant extent taken account of Ireland's situation and requirements. My Department will continue to consult closely with the Irish fishing industry in order to ensure that the implementing regulations, following on the agreed legislative framework, take appropriate account of Ireland's particular situation and needs into the future.
