Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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540. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on possible changes to the Common Fisheries Policy during Brexit negotiations; the role he will have in protecting Irish fisheries in those negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5873/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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If and when Article 50 is invoked next month, as indicated by Prime Minister May, then the UK will cease to be a Member State of the EU from March 2019, unless an extension is sought and granted. By 2019, the UK will be a Coastal State in fisheries terms with all the rights and responsibilities as set down in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The negotiations that will take place over the next few years are not a renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy. The CFP remains in place and will be reviewed in the normal way from 2019 and is due to be concluded by 2022. By the time that process begins, the UK will, in all probability, have left the EU and so will not be party to the negotiations on a new CFP.

The most serious issue facing the fishing and seafood sector is the kind of relationship the UK wants with the EU in terms of fisheries post exit. When we do know what the UK want, we will  work closely with our EU partners  in trying to seek a new relationship with the UK.

My Department, together with its agencies and stakeholders, has been considering all of the potential impacts, looking at the areas where the greatest risks will arise and on which we will need to focus when the negotiations begin. Ensuring that our fishing interests are reflected in the overall EU negotiating position will be a key priority.

I have established a dedicated Brexit unit in my Department, and a consultative committee of stakeholders has been convened in order to ensure a full exchange of information as negotiations proceed.

Last week (1 February), I hosted a dedicated Civic Dialogue on the potential impacts of Brexit for the seafood sector as whole. This was very well attended by stakeholders from across the industry and gave a clear insight into the real dangers that a 'hard' Brexit presents for our fishing communities.

My officials are in constant contact with their counterparts in the European Commission and have recently met with the Director General of Fisheries to impress upon him Ireland’s key interests in the upcoming negotiations.

I will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them and my fellow fisheries Ministers in the EU to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations.

I will be unequivocal in opposing any dilution of our existing EU quota shares, including protecting the benefit to Ireland of the Hague Preferences, and any limitations on our existing rights of access.

I strongly believe that we must concentrate all our efforts on the Brexit negotiations at this time and until Brexit is completed. The discussion on the post Brexit CFP will undoubtedly occur in earnest once the Brexit arrangements are clear.