Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 November 2018
175. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a review of the Common Fisheries Policy will take place from 2019 at EU level with new changes to be implemented from 2023. [48831/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 49 of Regulation (EU) 1380/2013, the basic regulation of the Common Fisheries policy, states that "The Commission shall report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the functioning of the CFP by 31 December 2022."
In normal circumstances, the process for reviewing and possibly revising the CFP would probably be commencing sometime in 2019 to allow for a comprehensive examination of how the current policy has functioned and is achieving its objectives in time for the end of 2022. It would be up to the European Commission, in accordance with the right of initiative, following such a review to propose possible changes.
When such a review does take place. Ireland will again be a central player in that process. However, I am firmly of the view that now is not the time to commence our internal EU27 consideration of a review of the CFP. We must instead concentrate all our efforts on the ongoing Brexit negotiations until we have clarity on the exact nature of the future relationship with the United Kingdom.
The discussion on the post Brexit CFP will undoubtedly occur in earnest once the overall future relationship and its impact for fisheries is clear. For the coming period it is important to keep the focus on Brexit.
