Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Deputy Ferris raised the issue of cod recovery measures agreed at the November Fisheries Council. Under the cod recovery plan agreed at the Council, a limit on time at sea will apply to vessels targeting whitefish. The time at sea, established through Ireland's fishing vessels track record in the area, will, for the first time, be administered by each member state. Our officials have been asked to work closely with the industry in order that these arrangements are best suited to the needs of the fishermen operating in the area. In addition to this restriction, the Commission is proposing a ban on the use of most whitefish gear in the area. This is completely unacceptable to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and our officials have worked with industry to come forward with alternative measures that both help to protect the stocks under pressure while allowing fishermen viable fishing in the area. This issue has been identified as a priority and we will be making the strongest case possible for the alternative proposals we have submitted along with the UK authorities. With the poor scientific advice on the cod, haddock and whiting stocks in this area, we must accept further restrictions will be introduced.

However, in the Irish Sea, we also face a number of challenges. Like the cod in the north west, the November Council agreed restrictions on time at sea in the area to help conserve cod. There is an important prawn fishery in the Irish Sea and the Commission's proposal involves a cut in that total allowable catch, TAC. We will seek a roll-over of the 2008 TAC, which we consider is justifiable from a scientific perspective, and we will also work to ensure the Commission's proposal for a new regime for the conservation of rays does not stop our fishery in the Irish Sea. All the scientific advice available to us is supportive of a managed targeted fishery for rays in the Irish Sea and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will make a strong case for such a regime.

A number of proposals will impact on the Celtic Sea fisheries. Cuts in the TACs are proposed for a number of stocks such as monk, megrim, whiting and cod. These are all important fisheries for our whitefish fleet and, where the scientific advice allows, I will seek adjustments in the Commission's proposals. In this regard, we will work closely with industry to identify the key stocks of most economic importance and give the highest priority to them. I take on board the economic impact referred to by Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher, particularly in Donegal, which must be part of the debate on the best way forward.

We face tough negotiations at this Council with many cuts in quotas and new difficult conservation measures. We have a great deal of work ahead of us but we have consulted widely with industry and others and we are clear as to our objectives. We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to deliver the best package for Ireland. That will not, unfortunately, include the decommissioning package sought by Deputy Sheehan. However, I have taken his comments on board and I will give them serious consideration to see what can be done. As an Irish Sea Minister, I am aware we face serious issues regarding the size and the number of boats fishing limited stocks, which makes it difficult to maintain our conservation objectives.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is determined to act in the best interests of Ireland and the broader Irish fishing community. We have had some successes regarding the mackerel quota for 2009 and the decision at the November Council not to include the Celtic Sea in the cod recovery plan and I will pass on the encouraging words of Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher to the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen. Every Member will wish the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and his Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, well in their endeavours on behalf of our fishing sector and the Council negotiations will deliver a fair and balanced package of measures, which will both protect fish stocks going forward while supporting the domestic fishing industry and the coastal communities dependent on fishing.

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