Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the upcoming renegotiation of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22471/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The current Common Fisheries Policy came into force on the 1st of January 2014. The European Commission are obliged to report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the current Policy before 31st of December, 2022.

In the normal course of events, it would be expected that the Commission would begin the process of review by publishing a Green Paper followed by a public consultation at least 2/3 years prior to December 2022. However, that possible timetable may well be impacted by the Brexit negotiations and the process of reviewing the new CFP may not begin for some years yet.

In the immediate future, it is the Brexit negotiations that will be my absolute priority. When the review of the CFP does begin, I can assure the Deputy that Ireland will, as always, be fully engaged to ensure the best possible outcome for our fisheries sector and the coastal communities reliant upon it.