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Fisheries Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2010

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

Ceisteanna (40)

Christy O'Sullivan

Ceist:

36 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views regarding the transfer of Ireland’s fish quotas to Norway to pay for cod and other stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45058/10]

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Freagraí scríofa

At Monday's Fisheries Council in Brussels, I set down clearly Ireland's position in relation to the ongoing negotiations between the EU and Norway on a bilateral fisheries agreement for 2011. I have consistently advised the Commission and Member States of Ireland's concerns including at the October Fisheries Council meeting, held on 26 October 2010 in Luxembourg. I also wrote to Commissioner Damanaki on 19 November setting out our position.

The negotiations on a fisheries bilateral agreement are held annually, and Norway and the Community routinely swap fishing opportunities in each others waters as part of the agreement each year. As Ireland receives very limited fishing opportunities from the fish stocks received from Norway, our main interest relates to eliminating or, as a minimum, reducing to the lowest possible level the transfers to Norway from stocks in Western Waters which we fish. In the past a significant share of the blue whiting stock in Western Waters, in which Ireland has a share, has formed part of the transfers to Norway. Ireland has consistently opposed what has to date been an unfair and inequitable process which results in a Member State, like Ireland which does not benefit, paying for the fishing opportunities of other Member States.

At both Councils, Minister Connick reminded the Commissioner and his fellow Ministers of the Commissions statement from last Decembers Fisheries Council which provides that "Bearing in mind that Member States benefit to a different degree from the exchange of fishing opportunities with Norway, the Commission shall endeavour to ensure that the costs and benefits for individual Member States of the annual arrangements with Norway should be as balanced as possible.” Minister Connick strongly defended Ireland’s position, opposing the transfer of these fish quotas to Norway to pay for cod and other stocks which do not benefit Ireland. In particular the Minister made it abundantly clear that Ireland will totally oppose any moves to include stocks that the Irish fleet fishes in the waters off the west coast, such as horse mackerel and mackerel, in the balance.

It is very clear that there will be a major problem balancing the quota exchanges in any EU-Norway agreement this year especially as the TAC for blue whiting which was used to partly meet the balance in the transfers has been cut by some 90%. Ireland has called on the Commission to bring forward a new framework whereby Member States that want to avail of the Cod being offered by Norway can contribute to a communal EU pool of quotas to be exchanged with Norway. In this way those Member States that want the Cod can avail of it, but not to the detriment of Member States who do not benefit.

The second round of discussions on the bilateral agreement are taking place in Bergen, Norway this week. I am working closely with the Irish industry representatives and am consulting on the progress being made and their implications for the Irish fishing industry. Ireland's position is well understood and I wrote to Commissioner Damanaki last month to re-enforce the importance of this issue for us. I am carefully monitoring the negotiations and will continue to work to deliver an agreement that takes account of Ireland's situation.

Question No. 37 answered with Question No. 29.
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