Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am satisfied we got the best deal possible for Irish fishermen. It is not the perfect deal, but it is a very significant improvement on where we were three days ago. In terms of fish landed value, we went into the negotiations standing to lose more than €18 million in the whitefish sector alone, which accounts for the vast majority of fishermen. We have come out of the negotiations with the value of quota for landed fish for next year increased by some €1.5 million. These are independent figures compiled by Bord Iascaigh Mhara on the basis of current fish prices. In other words, we have gone from minus €18 million to plus €1.5 million.

The greatest priority for us going into the negotiations was the prawn catch, or nephrops as they are known in fishing terminology. Half of our whitefish industry in income terms is accounted for by prawns. The catch is worth €59 million each year in an industry that will have an overall value next year of €123 million. Half of its total value is comprised of one stock, in other words, and almost every fishing community has an interest in that stock, from Rossaveal right around to Howth and encompassing the whole of the south, south-west and east coasts. The proposal from the Commission was for a 14% reduction in prawn quota. We got a deal for a 3% increase, which will raise the value of the prawn catch next year to just over €60 million.

We also achieved significant progress in other areas, with a very positive outcome for fishermen in the west, north west and north. In the case of hake, for instance, a proposed reduction has been turned into a significant increase. We succeeded in changing substantial proposed reductions in megram and monkfish to a roll-over position, which means we get the same quota next year. Likewise, in the case of skates and rays in the Irish Sea, which is a very important fishery for us, a proposed 20% reduction is now a roll-over.

The one problem area is the Celtic Sea mixed fishery for cod, haddock and whiting. Going into these negotiations, the Commission was proposing a 64% cut in cod quota, a 41% cut in haddock quota and a 14% cut in whiting quota.

The outcome has been a cut of roughly 12% in respect of each of those stocks.

We have won these arguments and made them on the back of science. Therefore, we are not taking irresponsible decisions to try to be popular with the fishing industry. We have made good decisions on the back of science and conservation measures that the industry has bought into. This is a good outcome. There are some challenges with the Celtic Sea, of course, but on the whole this is a much better deal than many were expecting.

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