Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 April 2018
22. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the Common Fisheries Policy and the challenges facing the fishing industry from March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16268/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware the biggest challenge facing the Irish fishing industry is Brexit which is the reason the sector has been a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, and will continue to be so for the Government. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully safeguarded.
My continued objective is to ensure that the implications for fisheries are fully taken account of in the negotiations on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship. Ireland’s key priorities in this regard will be maintenance of current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone and protection of Ireland’s existing quota shares. These priorities are fully reflected in the future relationship guidelines and in the transition arrangements as part of the Withdrawal Agreement.
With regard to the latter, for fisheries, the transition period – which is due to begin from March 2019 - will involve no change whatsoever to existing arrangements of the Common Fisheries Policy other than the fact that the UK will no longer be part of decision making bodies within the EU. The Common Fisheries Policy, in place since 2014, is due for review in 2022.
The progress achieved to date has been welcomed by the Irish fishing industry and the importance attached to the sector by this Government was clearly demonstrated last week with a meeting between industry representatives, An Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and myself.
