The right of consultation for stakeholders the Deputy refers to is indeed part of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) which I negotiated to conclusion in 2013. The stakeholders referred to are those who are members of Advisory Councils established under the CFP. Environmental stakeholders are active members of the North Western Waters Advisory Council (NWWAC) and the Pelagic Advisory Council (PAC) – the two Advisory Councils of importance to Ireland. Under the reformed CFP, Member States with a direct management interest in a particular region may propose joint recommendations on fisheries management to the Commission. Prior to making any recommendation, those Member States must consult with the relevant Advisory Council.
In North Western Waters, a regional Group of Member States (Ireland, UK, Netherlands, Spain, France and Belgium) is currently engaged in discussions with a view to forming a joint recommendation on a Discards Plan for demersal species that would come into effect in 2016. Ireland currently chairs this Group and representatives of the relevant Advisory Council – the NWWAC – have been invited and attended all meetings of this Group and their views fully taken into consideration.
To facilitate the phasing in of the landing obligation under the reformed Common Fisheries Policy, I established a national Discards Implementation Group (DIG) under the Chairmanship of Dr. Noel Cawley. The remit of this Group is to advise me on issues arising in the effective implementation of the new policy and to recommend practical solutions and arrangements that take into account the situation of the Irish industry. The primary aim of the group is ensure that the Irish fishing industry are fully prepared for, and engaged in, the practical implementation of the discards ban.
As it is the fishing industry alone that will be directly impacted by the implementation of the landing obligation I considered it appropriate that the membership of the Group consist of fishing industry representatives and the relevant agencies - the Marine Institute, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.
I am of course aware of the interest of Irish environmental non-governmental organisations in the work of the group and since the establishment of the Group. I have asked that they are kept updated on its deliberations on a regular basis and this will of course continue. I do not consider it necessary that they become part of the DIG given its particular remit in terms of practical implementation as opposed to policy development. I consider that they have every opportunity to input into discussions and inform advice within the Advisory Councils.
