Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 219 of 2 April 2009, the position to date regarding a fishery (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A meeting took place on 13 May 2009 between officials from the European Commission, DG Environment and officials from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Marine Institute, BIM and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. The purpose of the meeting was to consider and seek support for a plan to deliver compliance of wild fisheries and aquaculture in Natura sites with the EU Birds and Habitat Directives which had been submitted in advance by the Irish authorities to DG Environment.

It was a constructive meeting where the Irish delegation set out in technical detail the content of the plan. DG Environment officials raised a number of issues and suggestions. DG Environment advised that it was, in principle, favourably disposed towards Ireland's plan subject to a positive response to the issues raised and further clarifications from the Irish authorities on the details of the plan. When these matters were satisfactorily addressed by the Irish authorities, it expected to be in a position to formally respond on the plan at an early date.

DG Environment advised that it was positively disposed towards the interim approach for wild fisheries which had been described in the Irish plan whereby best available data together with the collection of some limited additional data would be used as an interim assessment to access impacts of these activities on the Natura sites. This assessment would inform and determine possible fishing opportunities, based on a precautionary approach. Fisheries opened in Natura sites would, in any case, have to be subject to stringent management arrangements (including possibly limiting access, restrictions on areas fished / gears used, time spent fishing) and additional control arrangements. As soon as full data is available on sites, these fisheries will be subject to full Appropriate Assessment under the Directives. My officials are in regular contact with the fishermen's representatives and will continue to keep them updated on developments in this regard.