Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the outcome of the recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting; the discussions held regarding the operation and review of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34256/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I attended the recent Agriculture and Fisheries Council of Ministers Meeting in Brussels on the 29 September 2008. The main item of interest to Ireland at this Council Meeting was a discussion on a proposal for cod recovery in Community waters. This proposal is one of key importance to Ireland and would involve the introduction of a strict days at sea limitations for fishing vessels operating off the south and west coast of Ireland. I strongly argued that restrictive days at sea were not necessary for the Celtic Sea south and west coast fisheries. I stressed that alternative measures such as closed areas to protect spawning stock could be just as effective. This matter is critical for the Irish whitefish fleet generally and I will be working closely with the Federation of Irish Fishermen over the coming weeks to develop the best possible solution for our fishing industry in the context of the tough measures being proposed by the EU Commission.

An informal discussion to mark the start of the debate on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy was held with Fisheries Ministers on the margins of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The Common Fisheries Policy was formally established in 1983, and has since then been subject to revision every ten years. The latest Reform was agreed in 2002, and is up for review in 2012 at the latest.

Our aim is for a Common Fisheries Policy which results in a strong, sustainable and profitable seafood industry and, most importantly, which provides economic activity for our coastal communities, as set down for Ireland in the Cawley Strategy — Steering A New Course.

I am concerned that there is some pressure at this early stage in the debate for a change in the policy that would promote an Individual Transferable Quota (ITQ) regime at European level. l will not support such a policy which promotes the concentration of activity and benefits in the hands of a small number of large companies. Our aim is for a policy which maximises the development of all our coastal communities and for this reason it is vital that quotas and their management are retained under national competence and not moved to a market based mechanism.

This debate on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy is at a very early stage. The Commission will bring forward a Green Paper for discussion next year.

I will continue to work closely with the FIF (Federation of Irish Fishermen) to progress all matters of importance to the Irish fishing industry and have our national priorities taken on board as far as possible in the discussion on the Reform of the CFP following the publication of the Green Paper.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will arrange a meeting between officials from his Department and a group (details supplied) in County Louth to discuss their concerns. [34261/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am happy to arrange a meeting as requested which can be organised through the Fisheries Offices in Clonakilty (023 59500).