Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1167. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the present 12 mile, 20 kilometre, exclusive coastal zone for fishing is due to come to an end; the plans to replace same when this happens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52313/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnion fishing vessels have equal access to Union waters and resources subject to the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). However, Article 5(2) of the CFP Regulation, Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013, provides for derogations from the equal access rule whereby Member States may restrict access for fishing in their 12 nautical mile zones to certain vessels. This includes vessels that have traditionally fished in those waters or have access under arrangements set out in Annex I of the CFP Regulation.
The derogation under Article 5(2) will expire on 31 December 2022. The European Commission published a proposal in July proposing an amendment to extend the derogation up until the end of December 2032. The proposal also removes provisions relating to access for the UK, which are now covered under in the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement.
I am concerned that this proposal involves an automatic rollover of existing arrangements and is being discussed in isolation from the upcoming review of the Common Fisheries Policy. I consider that this important element of the CFP should be dealt with the by the Commission as part of the full CFP review and form part of the formal review and the Commission report to Council and Parliament on the functioning of the CFP. I have written to the Commissioner to make Ireland’s concern and our position clear.
I have made clear, most recently during the Commissioner's visit to Ireland in September, that the Commission must undertake during 2022 a thorough review of the CFP, taking into account all aspects of the functioning of the CFP. Access arrangements as set out in Article 5(2) of Council Regulation 1380/2013 to the 12 nautical miles is a key element of the Common Fisheries Policy and as set out above, I am seeking that this forms part of the overall review.
