Christy O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has given an initial response to the recently published EU Commission Green Paper on the Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25954/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 102 together.

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is the fisheries policy of the European Union which was first put in place in 1983 and has been subject to reviews every 10 years, the most recent was in 2002 and the next is formally scheduled for 2012.

On 21 April 2009 the European Commission published a Green Paper on the latest reform of the CFP in order to launch a consultation with Member States and stakeholders and to initiate a broad public debate on the future CFP reform. Member States proposals are requested by the end of this year. A summary of this consultation process will be published in 2010. It will be followed by a legislative proposal to the Council and the European Parliament to be adopted in 2011, with a view to its entering into force in 2012. It is clear that every aspect of the CFP is up for review and will require detailed attention.

An exchange of views on the Green Paper took place at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on the 25 May 2009. It is my clear intention that the review process in Ireland is an all inclusive one, facilitating the exchange of views from all interested stakeholders. I intend to engage in a process of consultations with all stakeholders to inform Ireland's position. In that regard, Minister Killeen appointed Dr Noel Cawley to oversee a consultative process which will form a vital input to Ireland's negotiating framework for the CFP Review. Minister Killeen is in consultation with Dr Cawley in relation to the arrangements for this review. The first step will involve an open call for submissions.