Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs agrees Political Contribution on EU COM (2025) 559 regarding future EU funding for the Common Fisheries Policy

The Committee has forwarded a copy to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Presidents of the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of the European Union. In the interests of interparliamentary cooperation on EU matters, the report has also been forwarded to the appropriate Committee in the National Parliament of each EU Member State and to Ireland’s MEPs.

COM (2025) 559 proposes establishing the conditions for the implementation of the EU support to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), to the European Ocean Pact and of the European Union’s maritime and aquaculture policy as part of the National and Regional Partnership Fund for the period from 2028 to 2034.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Conor McGuinness said: “The Joint Committee considers COM (2025) 559 to be significantly important to Ireland and the EU and notes that the proposal in question is part of a package of proposals broadly related to the issue of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) for the period 2028-2034. Scrutiny of COM (2025) 559 must be considered in the context of this wider package.”

Deputy McGuinness said: “The Committee considers that the question of EU funding in support of the fisheries and maritime sector for the MMF for the period 2028-2034 to be of critical importance in enabling Ireland to fully implement the Common Fisheries Policy and to support Ireland’s capacity in sustainable management of fisheries. This includes fisheries conservation measures, scientific research, fisheries data collection, fisheries control and enforcement, implementation of the Common Market Organisation Regulation for fisheries and aquaculture, seafood processing, aquaculture, and community led local development in coastal areas.

“Pending the outcome of MFF negotiations, the Committee has been briefed that there may be a funding gap of between €35.4 million and €88.4 million in relation to Ireland’s seafood sector. The low ring-fenced allocation of €2 billion for fisheries, according to representative organisation Europeche, ‘places the future of the sector at the mercy of national priorities, risking uneven support across the EU and creating an unlevel playing field that undermines fair competition and cohesion within the single market’.

“The Committee considers that the proposed single MFF framework places the fisheries sector in competition at national level for funding, undermines the sector’s ability to address current challenges, and disregards the socio-economic pillar of the Common Fisheries Policy. The Committee notes that it is unclear whether funding is available for fisheries data collection or fisheries control and enforcement at member state level under the EU facility.

“The Committee further notes that the MFF is being negotiated in the context of existential challenges facing the Irish fisheries sector in the context of anticipated reductions in total allowable catch of pelagic species, irresponsible overfishing by non-EU coastal states, and the ongoing impacts of Brexit.”

The Political Contribution makes a number of recommendations regarding COM (2025) 559, including that:

• The proposal be amended to provide clear distinctions between measures that support the CFP versus the Ocean Pact, and between the needs of the fishing industry and the rest of the blue economy;
• Clarity be provided regarding funding for fisheries data collection, control, and enforcement, that Commission guidance and oversight measures for CFP be brought in line with those for CAP (Common Agriculture Policy);
• Modernisation needs of larger boats be included alongside those of the small-scale fleet.

Deputy McGuinness said: “The Committee recommends a large increase to the amount ring-fenced for CFP implementation, and for urgent new measures responding to the disproportionate damage done to Ireland’s industry by the overfishing of non-EU coastal states. Enhanced engagement with Irish Producer Organisations and other stakeholders representing coastal and island communities is also recommended.”

The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The Political Contribution on COM (2025) 559 is available on Oireachtas website.

ENDS

Note to Editors:

A political contribution is a means through which national parliaments can input to the policy-making process at EU level. The EU Commission is required to respond to all political contributions received, and political contributions are disseminated to other EU institutions, Irish MEPs and other national parliaments. A political contribution may influence the debate and negotiation that takes place around an EU proposal as the proposal progresses through the legislative process. Further information on the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas is available here: European Union – Houses of the Oireachtas.