Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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581. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect Brexit will have on the fishing industry if Britain regains full control of its waters after exiting the EU; if Ireland will in that event be calling for a full review of the Common Fisheries Policy and making a demand that it would have access to fish stock in proportion to fish resources in its territorial seas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7170/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We do not know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.

What we do know is that there is a strong desire and expectation from parts of the UK fishing industry for a hard Brexit on fish – a ‘pulling up the drawbridge’, to ensure that non-UK fishermen will no longer have access to the UK Zone and that all fish in that zone – currently shared with EU partners will be theirs and only theirs for the taking.  

In theory, the UK could indeed restrict access to their waters and or seek to gain larger quota shares at the expense of others.  However, that could only happen if the UK were content to ignore the potential repercussions that would certainly arise from the EU side.

In a worst case scenario, an extreme 'hard Brexit' outcome would be a fundamental threat to the wellbeing of the seafood  sector.  On average, 36% of the Irish landings are currently taken from UK waters.  However, for some of our most important stocks the figures are even higher.

Limitations on access and, more worryingly, any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota share at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be, be resisted strenuously. These twin threats, on access and quota, could also lead to increased  activity by other EU vessels in the waters around Ireland threatening the long term sustainability of our stocks.

Once Article 50 is invoked next month, as seems likely, then the UK will cease to be a Member State of the EU from March 2019, unless an extension is sought and granted. The EU itself will continue, as will the Common Fisheries Policy. The process for reviewing and revising the CFP in preparation for a new Policy will commence around the same time and will be due for completion in 2022. Ireland will again be a central player in that renegotiation. 

I am firmly of the view that now is not the time to commence our internal consideration of the review of the CFP.  We must instead concentrate all our efforts on the Brexit negotiations at this time to safeguard our interests. The discussion on the post Brexit CFP will undoubtedly occur in earnest once the Brexit arrangements are clear and I do not intend to pre-empt the outcome of negotiations that will not even begin for at least another two years.

This month (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. 

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.  

In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that 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.