Committee on Communications, Natural Resources and Agriculture hear concerns on European Commission proposals from fishing organisations

Speaking after the meeting, Committee Chairman, Andrew Doyle, TD said: \"We thank both fishing organisations for their detailed and considered presentations, which highlighted their concerns about the European Commission’s proposed changes to the Common Fisheries Policy.\"

\"The Committee fully takes on board the view of both organisations that EU fisheries policy over the years has failed our coastal communities. The Irish fleet is only allowed fish about 18 percent of the €1.2bn annual catch in Irish waters. The Committee believes that the fishing industry’s sincerely held grievances should inform future negotiations.\"

\"The continuing practice of discarding fish and loomed large at the meeting and the Committee acknowledges the argument from the fishing representatives that the new proposals to take the total catch ashore lack common sense.

\"The discussions explored the idea that Ireland’s negotiating position should centre on the maximum sustainable yield, that is, the largest catch that can be taken from a species' stock over an indefinite period.\"

\"The Committee is also concerned that proposed introduction of Individual Transferable Quotas might concentrate of ownership of the fishing fleet in too few hands.

\"The Committee has consulted widely on this matter and we will submit a report, incorporating today’s deliberations, to both the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the European Commissioner on Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.\"

Ends

For further information please contact:

Paul Hand,

Houses of the Oireachtas,

Communications Unit,

Leinster House,

Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 4484

M: +353 87 6949926

F: +3531 618 4551

paul.hand@oireachtas.ie

Committee Membership

Deputies

Tom Barry, Fine Gael

Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein

Pat Deering, Fine Gael

Robert Dowds, Labour Party

Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael

Martin Ferris, Sinn Fein

Noel Harrington, Fine Gael

Martin Heydon, Fine Gael

Colm Keaveney, Labour Party

Mattie McGrath, Independent

Michael McNamara, Labour Party

Michael Moynihan, Fianna Fail

Éamon Ó Cuív, Fianna Fail

John O’Mahony, Fine Gael

Thomas Pringle, Independent

Senators

Michael Comiskey

Paschal Mooney

Pat O’Neill

Mary Ann O’Brien

Brian Ó Domhnaill

John Whelan