I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 64 together.
The Common Fisheries Policy review is already under way at EU level and will conclude with decisions at the end of 2002. My view on the need for radical change is fully supported by the Government, the Commissioner and fellow EU fisheries Ministers. Ireland's strategy on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy – CFP – is informed by the comprehensive proposals and recommendations of the CFP National Strategy Review Group chaired by Padraic White which the Government established in 1998.
The group published its proposals and recommendations last November in advance of both the Commission's Green Paper and the first substantive debate by Ministers at the European Council of Ministers on 18 June. This enabled Ireland to influence and input into the Commission's thinking. I have discussed our key priorities in the Green Paper in detail with Commissioner Fischler and my EU ministerial colleagues.
At the recent EU Council of Ministers I welcomed the fact that the Commission thinking reflected a number of Ireland's priorities. I also welcomed the Commission's acknowledgement of the need for improved governance within the CFP.