Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 355: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if there is a mechanism in place to monitor discards from factory ships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19369/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of high levels of discards in commercial sea fisheries from large pelagic factory vessels is a matter of substantial concern. Ireland has pushed for the introduction of observers on board these vessels. I consider that the monitoring of the activity of factory vessels is necessary to deliver sustainable fisheries and I intend to pursue this agenda with Commissioner Borg and other Member States.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the basis on which Irish fishing quotas are reached; if track record is taken into account when quotas are being distributed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19370/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Within the European Community, fishing activities are carried out under the Common Fisheries Policy. Under this Policy, the annual Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for fish stocks are agreed each year during negotiations at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in December. The TACs and quotas are based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). ICES recommends TACs for the various fisheries based on its analysis of the sustainability of the stocks involved. The European Commission then brings forward a TAC and Quota proposal for the coming year which takes into consideration the scientific advice as well as the Commission's consultations with all the stakeholders.

The Commission's proposal is considered by the Council of Fisheries Ministers in December, and a revised proposal is agreed. Member States' quotas are determined by the allocation keys that are fixed for each fishery. These guarantee the Member States fixed shares of the various TACs. Ireland and the United Kingdom are also able to invoke the so-called "Hague Preferences" in respect of certain important fish stocks during the negotiations. The Hague Preferences gives Ireland an additional share of certain TACs in these fisheries. Each Member State is responsible for managing its fishing quotas and ensuring that catches by its fishermen do not exceed the limits agreed at the December Council. In Ireland, representatives from the industry, the Department and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority meet once a month to agree the catch limits for whitefish and deep-sea species for the following month. Meetings are also held as required to discuss pelagic management arrangements. The proposals of industry representatives for the management of fish stocks are, as far as possible, implemented.