Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 January 2015
89. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the information provided to the European Commission on fish producer organisations concerning their funding, quota allocation, membership and landings; if he will provide a copy of the most recent set of such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/15]
View answerThere are currently five officially recognised Fishery Producer Organisations (POs) in Ireland. POs are independent representative bodies who represent their members' interest in issues such as annual quota negotiations with the EU Commission etc. They are not currently in receipt of any State funding on an ongoing basis apart from an initial assistance from the EU Commission in relation to set up costs. These organisations may become eligible to receive funding under the provisions of the new EMFF (European Maritime Fisheries Fund) to fund a requirement of the new CMO (Common Organisation of the Market, Regulation) which will necessitate the compilation of annual or multi annual Production & Marketing Plans (PMPs) by these organisations. PMPs will provide details of the main marketed species (by PO) as well as details of plans to market these species etc. As these plans may also contain potentially important commercial information, there are currently no plans to publish them. The plans will not be submitted to the EC and will be examined and approved at MS level only. Full details of Ireland’s EMFF funding mechanisms will be announced by my Department in due course, a period of public consultation in terms of identifying national priorities will be a part of that process.
Fish quotas are a publicly owned resource in Ireland and catch limits are made available to vessel owners on a periodic basis in accordance with management policy. The arrangements for quota management have been set and developed over many years and changes to management arrangements are determined by the Minister following consultation with Producer Organisations and other industry representatives. POs represent the interests of the catching sector at monthly Quota Management Advisory Committee meetings. As far as possible, I take account of the recommendations for monthly regimes for particular stocks. Additional meetings involving POs are organised as required to discuss specific issues in particular fisheries that may arise, including in relation to pelagic stocks.
