Martin Ferris
Ceist:54 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will be seeking increased quota for Irish fishermen as part of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy. [36199/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 15 October 2009
Ceisteanna (62)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, the European Commission published a Green Paper last April on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The launch of this paper was aimed at stimulating broad public debate on the future of the CFP ahead of the next review of the Policy, scheduled for 2012. The Policy, which was first put in place in 1983, has been subject to reviews every ten years. The most recent review was in 2002.
I, along with Minister of State. Deputy Tony Killeen, strongly believe that this review must be informed by the views of our stakeholders, so that a clear and robust Irish position can be developed. Following the publication of the Green Paper, the Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, appointed Dr. Noel Cawley to oversee the consultation process with Irish stakeholders. Dr. Cawley is actively seeking the views of all stakeholders in order to ensure that the Irish submission on the reform of the CFP is as detailed and comprehensive as possible.
The Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, is happy to hear proposals that will support a greater share of the fish stocks for Irish fishermen. We have benefited up to now from the application of the "Hague Preferences" whereby when the Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for traditional Irish stocks are at a reduced level, Ireland benefits with a higher share of the TAC. Under the current CFP, this benefit is not an automatic entitlement but must be secured each year at the December Fisheries Council. This has in recent times been a hard fought battle as other member states lose out when Ireland secures its additional quotas. Therefore, the first priority for Ireland must be to protect this entitlement and to seek to have it reflected as a permanent entitlement in the new CFP. I also see scope for increasing quotas for Irish fishermen as stocks are rebuilt across our area in a sustainable successfully managed and reformed CFP.
To discuss the reform of the CFP directly with the fishermen themselves, the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, along with Dr Cawley, attended a series of meetings around the country at the end of August. He talked with fishermen about what changes they would like to see made to the CFP, and he listened closely to their views as they are best placed to understand the current Policy's problems and shortcomings. In addition to these efforts, the Federation of Irish Fishermen (FIF) has undertaken a process to develop its position on the matter. The result of its deliberations will feed into Dr Cawley's work programme and the formation of Ireland's position on the review.
The FIF held a conference on the CFP review on Friday, 9 October, at the Radisson Hotel, Dublin Airport. At this seminar a large gathering of fishermen from all around the country listened to contributions from a broad range of experienced experts in the field of fisheries. Further meetings involving stakeholders, including processors, environmental NGOs and the aquaculture sector are planned during the next couple of weeks. The outcome of these meetings will be compiled by Dr. Cawley into a formal report and this will inform Ireland's national position during the CFP review. All member states, including Ireland, have been invited to submit written comments by 31 December 2009 and I am satisfied that the consultation process put in place will ensure that the views of all stakeholders are fully understood and we are in a position to meet this deadline.