Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 407: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on whether the allocation of quota to fishermen on a monthly basis is a fair system; if there is a more flexible quota management system that addresses the well known concerns of the industry; if she has plans to carry out a review of the way the State allocates quota to fishermen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13892/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The national implementation of the annual EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and Quota Regulation is the responsibility of my Department. In Ireland, representatives from my Department, the Sea- Fisheries Protection Authority and Industry meet once a month to agree the quotas for whitefish and deep-sea species for the following month. All current quota management arrangements for fishery regimes are the result of this partnership approach.

In January 2007 the report of the Seafood Industry Strategy Review Group, under the Chairmanship of Noel Cawley, was published. This report "Steering a New Course" made two recommendations specifically related to quota management involving:

Implement a new, devolved, Fisheries Management Regime

Establish a legal entity to oversee quota management.

Industry representatives have been mandated to bring forward proposals for quota management in line with the recommendations of the Seafood Strategy for my consideration. I understand that the industry representatives are developing a new model in this regard. I await proposals which I hope will take account of the situation and needs of all the industry.