Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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510. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency funding under the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund will be renegotiated at the end of the current Common Fisheries Policy; and if extra powers to deal with super trawlers will be requested from the EU authorities. [21428/17]

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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513. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in Brexit negotiations there is a request for increased quota and support funding for fishing; if the Common Fisheries Policy quota and supports to 2020 will be increased in these circumstances; his views on whether quota and supports will increase post 2020; and if he will allocate funding from the Exchequer to fishers in the absence of an EU increase in quota and supports. [21433/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 510 and 513 together.

The most immediate potential threat to the well being of our fishing industry is of course Brexit. At this stage it is impossible to say with certainty what effect Brexit will have on the Irish fishing industry as we don't know yet what changes the UK may seek to the current arrangements.

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.

The UK could seek to limit access to their waters and/or try 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. Any attempt by the UK to alter the status quo at the expense of Ireland and others must, and will be resisted strenuously.

It is important to note that 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.  That review is due to conclude by 2022.

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.

The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term sustainability of fish stocks around our shores, the continued economic viability of our fishing fleet and fish processing industry while supporting our families and communities that depend on the sea for their livelihood.

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme 2014-2020 is funding a suite of schemes implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara to support our seafood processing sector develop new value-added seafood products, put in place the capital investment to produce new and more seafood products, develop business and marketing strategies to take advantage of the export opportunities, and to work cooperatively with other seafood enterprises to develop marketing resources in potential export markets.

The Operational Programme  provides €240 million approximately for the development of our seafood sector.  Some €147.6 million is being provided by the EU (61%) and this represents more than a doubling of EU funds allocated to Ireland compared to the previous EU funding period.  This increased allocation was in recognition of the strong case made by Ireland in CFP negotiations that Ireland carries a disproportionate control and data collection burden relative to our share of EU quotas in our territorial waters.  That remains the case.  The overall EU budget available for the EU seafood sector in the next funding period will be the subject of future budget negotiations between the EU institutions.  In the absence of the UK, the overall budget of the Union is likely to be lower, so difficult negotiations can be expected.  The relative share of the EU seafood funding is determined by the Commission having regard to criteria specified in the EMFF Regulation.  These criteria will be an important focus of Ireland’s negotiating position for the next programming period and I will be seeking to ensure that they reflect Ireland’s control and data collection burdens.

I am and will remain in close contact with fisheries stakeholders as the issues develop and work with them to ensure that we are all fully prepared for what are likely to be extremely complex negotiations for both the UK’s exit from the EU and the subsequent CFP reform.

Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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511. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the absence of the capability by the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency to board large foreign vessels, he will seek EU approval of the right to impound vessels while inspections take place. [21430/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities.   The SFPA and the Naval Service through the Fisheries Monitoring Centre monitor the movements of vessels when in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone, using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and declared catches through Electronic Reporting System (ERS).  The SFPA is reliant on the seagoing fishery patrol activity of the Naval Service to verify compliance of vessels not landing into Ireland.  Further details of monitoring and control of fishing activities by all vessels within Ireland's 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone may be sought from the SFPA who are the competent authority.

 Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues  concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, an exclusive competence of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service.  As Minister I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.

In relation to the overall framework for fisheries control in the EU, Council Regulation 1224/2009 establishes a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy.  Only the EU Commission may propose changes to that regulation and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council.