Vol. 554 No. 5
111 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the matters discussed and conclusions reached at the Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on 24 September 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17053/02]
The outcome of the Fisheries Council in September was generally satisfactory from an Irish viewpoint. I succeeded in securing an additional quota of Celtic sea herring at the meeting of the Fisheries Council held in Brussels last month. At the Council meeting, Ministers agreed to set a total allowable catch, TAC, of 13,000 tonnes of herring in the Celtic Sea for 2002, replacing the provisional quota of 8,000 tonnes agreed last December. I stressed that it was absolutely vital that Ireland's case for an increase in this TAC was accepted by the Fisheries Council.
The Council also held a detailed and constructive policy debate on the Commission's proposals for reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The discussions centered on a number of core issues concerning new arrangements involving multi-annual management of fishery resources, fleet and structural aid policy and also fisheries control and enforcement. I, along with colleagues from five member states – Greece, France, Italy, Portugal and Spain, also tabled a common position paper which sets out common positions mainly in relation to fleet policy and resource management, which Ireland is developing with like minded member states. This alliance of common interests demonstrates clearly that the views of coastal communities all across the EU have to be heard in developing a new Common Fisheries Policy. I am satisfied that the interests and concerns of the Irish fishing communities are being well served by the common positions being developed with these member states. I am also optimistic that Ireland's position on the Common Fisheries Policy proposals is gaining ground at the Council table.
I outlined Ireland's position on the Commission's proposals for reform of the CFP. I emphasised to my colleagues the need for Council to take a fundamental and systematic review of existing allocations to Ireland of fish stocks and to bring forward proposals that will reflect a fairer and more equitable distribution. I also stressed the importance of maintaining the "Irish Box" in order to limit fleet sizes and fishing activity in this area.
