Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Many of the inshore boats are not involved in fishing for quota species. We have done a great deal for the inshore sector in recent years. For the first time, it has proper representation and is represented on quota allocation groups. Also for the first time, it now has regional representative bodies in addition to its national representative body. The Department will allocate approximately €7 million to the sector from the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund under the Common Fisheries Policy to ensure it can run its operations properly and have a powerful say in future policy and quota decisions. We have already made a decision, with input from the sector, to deal with recreational potting, which we will effectively prevent, except on a minor scale. Tight restrictions will apply to what recreational potters can do when catching crabs or lobsters. This is being done to protect the stock for the commercial sector. We are doing a great deal on the inshore side, which is a sector that was ignored until a few years ago. It now has a voice and is getting things done.

I do not disagree with Deputy Ó Cuív that there should be a greater emphasis on providing opportunities for the inshore sector. If we can negotiate that as part of European policy, that will be well and good, but I do not want to pretend we can do much in that area in the absence of a new Common Fisheries Policy, because that is where policy is decided. I am focusing instead on achieving outcomes that can be delivered and providing the inshore sector with finance and an input into policy decisions, as has occurred for the first time. We will examine the development of new product and branding opportunities around line-caught mackerel, for example, to create more and new opportunities. In addition, as I have made clear to the industry, if we secure a north west herring quota, an allocation will be made to the small inshore vessels to ensure they benefit. While a small quota for the bigger guys would mean a couple of additional days work each year and a top-up to their income from some of the other big operations they have in mackerel, a small quota would make a significant difference to inshore fishermen. I have spent a great deal of time meeting and speaking to representatives of the inshore sector. We will make the regional and national inshore fisheries forums, RIFF and NIFF, the new representative model for the sector. This process is well under way.

My preference was to have the Hague preferences enshrined in the new Common Fisheries Policy. While this was not possible, we significantly improved the position that obtained before the new CFP was agreed. The Hague preferences are mentioned in the preamble of the new policy, and while this is not guaranteed every year, we still need to negotiate and ensure we win that battle. I would like the Hague preferences to be enshrined as a right, as opposed to being something that we have to negotiate. They are certainly very much in place and it will be difficult for other countries to dismiss them.

People refer to renegotiating the relationship in terms of the Common Fisheries Policy and so forth. Britain is seeking to renegotiate a whole series of issues pertaining to its relationship with the European Union, yet nothing in the area of fishing has been included in the negotiation process. Despite all the talk about Britain getting its fishing waters back from Europe, there is nothing in the negotiations about fishing.