Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

451. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the principle of relative stability under the Common Fisheries Policy; and any impact Brexit will have in this regard. [14914/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Relative stability refers to the fixed percentage share of fish stocks allocated to Member States and was established as a principle of the first Common Fisheries Policy in 1983.  The percentage share of each stock for each Member State was based on the average catch of each Member State over a set reference period and has remained unchanged.

At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what impact Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry. We don't 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 to ensure that non-UK fishermen will no longer have access to the UK Zone.

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

Any attempt by the UK to increase its current quota share at the expense of Ireland and others will be resisted strenuously.

I have recently held a further series of meetings with key fisheries Ministers and am coordinating a like minded group of 8 Member States to ensure that fisheries remains a top priority in the negotiations to come. Protecting existing shares will be a top priority for that group.  As both I and An Taoiseach have stated before, we intend to ensure that fisheries remains high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that Ireland obtains the best possible outcome from the 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.