Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps he has taken or proposes to take at European Union level to minimise the impact of overfishing in Irish coastal waters with consequences for the fishing community; if he will impress upon his EU colleagues the necessity to recognise that those who contributed most to the depletion of the stocks should be restricted adequately to allow stocks to recover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5301/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Since taking up the Agriculture Fisheries and Food portfolio in June 2008, it has been highlighted to me very forcefully by the Federation of Irish Fishermen that it is essential to have in place a level playing field on control across the EU.

The EU Commission estimates that 88% of EU stocks are over-exploited and scientists have recommended closure of 19% of fisheries. These are shocking statistics and should make us all pause and take stock of the serious situation facing the industry across Europe. Each December we agree the TACs and quotas for the following year taking account of the scientific advice available, but where we are failing, I believe, is that these limits are not being respected and there is persistent overfishing well in excess of quota across Member States.

The EU Court of Auditors report in December 2007 highlighted this problem and identified substantial control failures across Member States. On foot of the Court of Auditor findings, the Commission has brought forward a proposal to strengthen fisheries control across the EU. The Commission's proposals for a new control system are aimed at tackling overfishing. The main themes of their new approach follow.

There should be a new common approach to control and inspection. This involves a strong focus on inspections on shore based links in the supply chain whereby the owner of the fish must be able to produce documents proving that the product was caught in conformity with the rules and that it observes a principle of product traceability. It involves using best practices such as risk analysis, concentrating control on problematical fisheries and periods. It also involves the use of new technologies to ensure the maximum effective delivery.

There should be promotion of a culture of compliance with the rules. This involves a proposal for dissuasive and harmonised sanctions whereby a list of infringements is established together with a minimum fine applicable in all Member States. It also involves a points based system which may lead to the suspension of a fishing licence or its permanent withdrawal.

There should be promotion of enhanced co-operation between Member States involving systematic exchange of information involving a common website where all relevant information and control data is available to the control authorities of all Member States, the Commission and the Community Fisheries control Agency. The proposal also strengthens the Commission's powers to guarantee common implementation of the Regulations and to intervene in case of poor application of control measures on the ground.

I am, in principle supportive of these measures. I am convinced that if we do not have a common approach to fisheries control across the EU it is grossly unfair to fishermen and will result, despite all our best efforts in Ireland, in the further decline and eventual closure of the fisheries that our fleet rely upon for their economic survival.

It is important to remember that I and my predecessors as Ministers for Fisheries pushed strongly for a level playing field on control. As a coastal state with responsibility for protecting some of the richest fishing ground in the EU and with a fishing industry almost completely dependent on sustainable fish stocks in our own waters, it is of the highest priority that there are effective control regimes in place across all Member States.

Our own industry here in Ireland strongly believe that they are on their own in being subject to controls, and that operators in some other countries are not detected or when they are, that they face low penalties. I consider that this new proposal offers the best opportunity to introduce a level playing field on control.

I will be seeking certain amendments to the provisions where the provisions are excessive or impractical. I will in particular be seeking strong powers for coastal Member States to effectively police waters under their control. I firmly believe that we must seize this opportunity to put a stop to illegal fishing which will if left unchecked destroy fish stocks and the livelihoods of coastal communities around our coast dependent on fishing.