Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his key priorities for the process of reforming the common fisheries policy which will more than likely conclude during the Irish Presidency in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40049/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 Commission proposals involve a basic policy regulation, a proposal on the Common organisation of the market (CMO) and a proposal on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF). All the proposals are subject to negotiation and adoption through the co-decision process involving both the EU Fisheries Council and the EU Parliament. The negotiations between the Council, the Parliament and the Commission on agreeing a new basic Regulation are expected to take place during the first half of 2013, during the Irish Presidency.

At the June 2012 Fisheries Council the Danish Presidency secured a Council agreement on General Approach on the basic Regulation and on the Common organisation of the market (CMO). The EU Parliament is also working to deliver its position on each of these proposals at present. I will prioritise securing final agreement between the EU Fisheries Council and the Parliament on all these proposals during the Irish Presidency during the first half of 2013.

Ireland’s overarching goal for the new CFP is for a sustainable, profitable and self reliant industry that protects and enhances the social and economic fabric of rural coastal communities dependent on the seafood sector, while balancing these objectives with the need to deliver a sustainable and eco centred fisheries landscape for future generations.

Key issue and developments arising from the General approach adopted in June include:

- The removal from the Commissions original proposal of the mandatory nature of the proposed system of Transferrable Fishing Concessions(TFCs) which I vehemently opposed since the outset and which had the potential to concentrate quotas in the hands of a few powerful European fishing companies. The Commission proposal provides for the continuation of the Hague Preferences system under which Ireland gets an enhanced share of certain key stocks on which we are

traditionally dependant. While I would prefer their permanent incorporation in Ireland’s percentage share, I have not received any support for this arrangement.

- A new compromise approach setting down a definitive timetable for the elimination of discards on a phased basis was agreed at Council in June. Plans will be designed to bring the fish stocks above levels capable of producing maximum sustainable yields (MSY) by 2015, where possible and for all stocks by 2020. Irelands position on regionalisation is to a large degree mirrored by the conclusions of the Common approach where Member States involved in a region would work together, in consultation with the EU Advisory Councils for the region and formulate general recommendations for fisheries conservation and management in the region.

- Future Funding - the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be structured around 4 pillars, a) Smart, Green Fisheries, b) Smart, Green Aquaculture, c) Sustainable and Inclusive Territorial Development and d) Integrated Maritime Policy. I am seeking the continuation of aid for seafood processing and aquaculture, as well as for fleet modernisation and restructuring.