Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
415. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of meetings he and officials from his Department have had with lobbyists from fish producer organisations since the regulations on lobbying came into force on 1 September 2015; the names of the lobbyists; the duration of each meeting; and the topics discussed. [37534/15]
View answerThe Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 (No. 5 of 2015) (the Act) commenced on 1 September 2015. Under the Act, designated public officials are not subject to rules regarding the registration and reporting of lobbying. Their interactions when lobbied must be reported by the lobbyists in accordance with the Act. The registration of lobbyists, as defined by the Act, is the sole responsibility of the individuals and organisations involved.
Nevertheless, I am happy to provide the details of meetings that I, or relevant designated officials in my Department, were present at or conducted with Fish Producer Organisations and other stakeholders since September 1st.
- On 11 September, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a Discards Implementation Group (DIG) meeting. The four Fish Producer Organisations i.e. the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO); Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO); Irish South and East Fishermen’s Organisation (ISEFO) and the Irish Fish Producer’s Organisation (IFPO) - as well as representatives from the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA), Fishing Co-operatives and relevant State Agencies were present at the meeting. The discussion focussed on next steps in preparing for implementation of Discards Plan for 2016.
- On 29 September, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations, the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO and the IFPO to discuss the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Seafood Development Programme (SDP) and Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 5 October, I met with representatives of the ISEFO and other fisheries interests in Dunmore East & Kilmore Quay to discuss the forthcoming Landing Obligation, which will come into force on 1st January 2016 for all demersal species. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 9 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a meeting with industry, scientific and environmental representatives to discuss issues in advance of the publication of the draft Commission proposal fixing fishing opportunities for 2016. This was as part of a wider consultation with Director Bernhard Friess, Director of the Atlantic, Outermost Regions and Arctic of the European Commission’s Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Directorate-General. The organisations present included the Marine Institute; the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO; National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF); Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO); CoastWatch and BirdWatch Ireland.
- On 9 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was present at a meeting to discuss a variety of technical aspects of the EU agenda with the KFO; the ISWFPO; the ISEFO and the NIFF.
- On 15 October, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations for further discussions on aspects of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, Seafood Development Programme and the Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
- On 29 October, the Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department attended an Information Seminar organised by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to discuss the Landing Obligation, at which representatives from across the fishing industry were present, including representatives from the ISEFO.
- On 30 October, I met with the four Fish Producer Organisations in Carrigaline, Co. Cork to discuss progress on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund the Seafood Development Programme and the Common Market Organisation. The Assistant Secretary of my Department responsible for the Marine functions of the Department was also present.
