Dáil debates

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

1:00 pm

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the reason the Government did not follow a similar option to that of Scottish authorities with regard to recent difficulties surrounding mackerel quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5523/07]

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The opening of the mackerel fishery for the large RSW pelagic vessels was delayed until the negotiations with the EU Commission were completed and the details of the arrangements were agreed. The discussions dealt with how the 34,802 tonnes of mackerel reported as landed illegally into Scotland by Irish vessels in the 2001-04 period should be paid back. We successfully delivered payback arrangements that minimised the impact on the majority of fishermen who had little or nothing to do with the illegal fishing, set the reductions at reasonable levels and spread these over six years.

At national level, following careful consideration of all the issues involved and having received detailed legal advice from the Attorney General, I implemented a policy that those vessel owners reported as having landed the undeclared mackerel should bear responsibility for their actions. The opening of the fishery at the beginning of the year in advance of the EU negotiations being finalised could have compromised the implementation of this policy.

It is a matter for the Scottish authorities to implement the quota reductions being applied as they see fit. There is a significant difference in the situations. I am advised that the Scottish industry did not challenge the imposition of reductions in respect of large scale illegal landings into Scotland. Certain individuals here have put the Minister under legal notice that they may challenge the deduction of quota from their vessels.

The delay in the opening of the fishery is likely to have substantially benefited processors in Ireland. Mackerel is found in Norwegian waters at the beginning of the year and migrates south towards the waters off Ireland from mid to late January. The late opening has supported higher levels of landings into Ireland. To date this year, 82% of the mackerel landed has been into Ireland for processing here. Last year, when the fishery was opened from 1 of January, only 64% of the mackerel caught during January and February was landed into Ireland. The late opening is good for processors and is also helpful in maintaining jobs in Ireland.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Regarding the deferment of the opening, an allegation was made against owners of vessels of the pelagic fleet but clearly this was unproven. The latter had a considerable impact on a number of people. I am delighted that it did not prevail in Scotland.

In respect of the six-year arrangement, will the opening date regarding fishing by vessels of the pelagic fleet be 1 January from now on or will the date be deferred from next year? What role will the new agency play and what recommendations will the Government take on board in the future regarding the imposition of fines in respect of alleged incidents of over-fishing? Will the Government delegate responsibility to the new agency, the job of which is to supervise quotas and deal with any illegal activities that may occur. As regards such activities, I refer to those relating to allegations being made and cases being brought to court and not to those involving hearsay.

I accept that they may be sub judice but I wish to inquire about recent court proceedings. Are these linked to the incidents of over-fishing that had an impact on quite a number of the owners of vessels of the pelagic fleet who had no part in the alleged offences committed?

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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We inherited this problem. The Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and I had an initial meeting with Commissioner Borg to discuss how the balance of the 34,000 tonnes of mackerel that were illegally landed would be dealt with. Our objectives were to minimise the impact of the quota reductions on the majority of fishermen who had little or nothing to do with illegal fishing, to set the reductions at a reasonable level — it is important to recognise that we secured a reduction of 9,000 tonnes on the original 34,000 tonnes — and to spread these over six years. I had a final meeting with Commissioner Borg on 18 January and he agreed to the six-year payback, the reduction of 9,000 tonnes on the original figure and backloading. The deduction for this year will be 3,686 tonnes. In each of the subsequent years it will be 4,178 tonnes. This will pay back the amount declared in respect of the incidents of over-fishing.

The court cases to which the Deputy refers will be subjected to the rigours of the court process. Neither the Minister nor I would interfere in that process. The cases must run their course through the courts and be dealt with accordingly.

We convinced the Commission to accept a deal based on the fact that we wanted to ensure that people who were not involved in illegal fishing would be able to earn a decent living for the next five to six years. The Commissioner and his committee recognised that and have accepted the proposals we put forward.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I welcome Dr. Noel Cawley's excellent report — this mirrors Fine Gael policy — on the future opportunities for coastal communities. How confident is the Minister of State that we can encourage more vessels to land fishing catches here for processing in order that sustainable jobs might be created in coastal communities? Will he comment on the restrictions relating to blue whiting, which were recently a matter of some discussion in County Donegal? Despite the apparent surplus of blue whiting off the coast, it appears that there has been a dramatic reduction in the tonnage relating to these fish.

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Dr. Cawley has agreed to continue as chair of the implementation group.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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That is a good development.

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome this because it gives the group a certain level of independence.

The delay in the commencement in mackerel fishing has, as already stated, ensured a substantial increased in the amount of this fish landed and processed in Ireland this year. This is good for the processors and for job creation, particularly in the north-west. We hope this will continue to be the case in the future.

The implementation of the report in question is a matter for us and Dr. Cawley to progress as quickly as possible.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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What is the position on blue whiting?

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I attended the negotiations that took place in Brussels at Christmas. The final meeting concluded at approximately 4 a.m. and we managed to secure the same quota for blue whiting for 2007 as that which obtained in 2006. This was despite the fact that practically every other country wanted to substantially reduce the level of Ireland's quota. We have the same quota this year as we had last year.

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister of State agree that there is a huge potential in respect of blue whiting?

Photo of John BrowneJohn Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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There is always potential. However, the difficulty lies in securing additional quota. We were obliged to negotiate the best deal for Ireland. For the first time in ten years, we managed to secure substantial increases in respect of a number of species and we managed to retain the same quota for blue whiting as that which obtained in 2006. The latter was quite an achievement. I must acknowledge the contribution of the UK Minister who, at 4 a.m., decided to allocate some of his country's blue whiting quota to Ireland in order that we might retain it at the 2006 level.