Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1621: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has ever argued for Ireland to be awarded an equivalent quota in ICES divisions IV, VIII and IX comparable to that which other EU States have in the ICES zones VI and VII closest to Ireland's coast. [31072/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The position in regard to Ireland's quota allocations is that Ireland's share of the main fish stocks were set in the early 1980's when fish stocks were being shared out between Member States. The share allocations were based on catch records and reflected the fishing levels by the Irish fleet at that time. Ireland did not have any record of fishing activity in ICES divisions IV, VIII and IX. The percentage shares held by each Member State have generally remained the same for over 20 years under the principle of relative stability.

Since then it has been a priority of successive Irish Ministers to try to have these shares improved. Ireland has repeatedly put forward the case for an increase in quota share but have received no support from other Member States for changes in the allocation keys for the share out of stocks. The practical reality is that to achieve an increase in Ireland's share of catches, other Member States would have to take a cut in their shares.

I will continue to use every opportunity to improve the arrangements for Irish fishermen under the Common Fisheries Policy.