Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the main agenda items for the next Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union that are of concern to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43897/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The next meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council is not scheduled to take place until 18/19 December next and no agenda has yet been received. However, we are aware that the agenda will focus principally on fisheries and the setting of the annual Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for fish stocks.

The levels of TAC and ultimately quotas for 2009 for Ireland will be determined at the Council. This process for 2009 has already begun in earnest with the publication of the Commission's proposals which will be the subject of detailed discussions over the coming weeks. This Commission proposal sets out cuts in many of the stocks of economic importance to our fleet and also envisages other measures which will adversely impact on our fishing industry, including a proposed closure for the whitefish fleet off the north-west.

However, not all stocks are subject to decreases in TACs with the proposed mackerel TAC going up by 33% from 456,000 tonnes in 2008 to 605,000 tonnes in 2009. This will result in the net Irish quota (after deductions for the payback for undeclared Scottish landings) going from approx 45,000 tonnes to 62,000 tonnes. However, this TAC increase remains to be formally agreed and must be protected against any proposal that a part would be transferred to Norway in the EU/ Norway negotiations which are currently ongoing.

Notwithstanding the good news on mackerel, I am concerned about the level of cuts proposed for the whitefish stocks, the proposed closure in the north-west and other measures proposed and their socio-economic impact on fishermen and fishing communities. I am actively engaged, as are my officials, in delivering the best possible deal for Ireland at Council and there will be a lot of intense work in the upcoming negotiations before a settlement is reached on the final package of measures.