Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when the final decision will be reached on mackerel quotas for 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3748/10]

Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the EU Norway negotiations in relation to mackerel fishing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3698/10]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 135 together.

A final decision on the mackerel quotas was predicated on the outcome of the EU Norway negotiations which concluded with an agreement yesterday evening. Indications are that a Commission non-paper will be presented shortly to the Council working group on Fisheries followed with a formal proposal to the same body soon after. The proposal will be adopted using "Written Procedure", which - allowing for legal and linguistic scrutiny and normal process - could be expected to take up to 3-4 weeks to be finalised.