Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I am pleased the Minister is present to touch on this issue because the proposals of the Commissioner last week will do nothing for Irish fishermen. The Irish stance needs to be very strong. If the Minister is strong in his negotiations and wears the green jersey, we will support him every step of the way from this side of the House.

I will refer to the Common Fisheries Policy review and the proposals of the Commissioner last week, and ask questions thereon. The mandatory transferable quota rights being talked about would be detrimental to Irish fishermen. Giving quota rights to big companies would do nothing to protect the smaller fishermen around Irish coasts. I hope the Minister will fight tooth and nail against the suggestion of the European Commission.

Greater regionalisation was promised by the Commission but we now know from the Commissioner's report last week that she is diluting the promises and going nowhere near meeting the promise to have the regionalised plans required by the industry. A one-size-fits-all approach will do nothing for the coastal communities and smaller fishermen around Irish shores. I hope the Minister will deal with this in a very strong manner with the Commissioner.

I partly welcome the establishment of a separate regime for smaller fisheries. However, the proposals in the Commission's report give no recognition to boats under 15 m in length. Considering that over 80% of the Irish fleet comprises boats under 15 m, we need special recognition for our smaller vessels. I hope the Minister will fight on behalf of 80% of the Irish fleet in his negotiations with the Commissioner.

The question of trade sanctions needs to be dealt with at European level and I acknowledge the European Parliament is dealing with it. My colleague, Mr. Pat the Cope Gallagher, MEP, is working hard to introduce trade sanctions on the fishing of mackerel by the Faroe Islands and Norway. Those two countries have allocated to themselves over 300,000 tonnes of mackerel that they fish, which is 47% of the catch within the European Union that is regarded by scientists as safe.