Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to combat the problems Brexit poses for the fisheries sector; the actions he has carried out to date to ensure that the fisheries negotiations and the wider trade negotiations are fully linked; if the seafood sector will not lose out in the final agreement in terms of access arrangements and the percentage share of the stocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41517/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As I have stated before, fisheries is, and will remain, a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations.  I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully protected.

I fully agree with the Deputy on the importance of ensuring that fisheries does not become isolated from the wider negotiations and I am glad to say that Michel Barnier and the relevant Member States are as equally determined as Ireland in that regard.

Existing access arrangements and percentage shares of fish stocks have been agreed by all EU Member States, including the UK, over many years and were most recently affirmed in 2014 when the current Common Fisheries Policy came into force. Let me be absolutely clear; I see no basis whatsoever for the kind of reordering of the current arrangements apparently sought by some in the UK.

If and when the UK finally leaves the EU they should equally retain their current shares and entitlements.  We are not asking that they lose their rights of access to EU waters or face any reductions in their current shares and see no reason why we should lose ours.

As the Deputy will be aware, there has been an enormous amount of work on this issue in terms of analysing potential impacts for our fishing industries under the various possible scenarios since well before the UK referendum. This work has been carried out by my Department, the Marine Institute and BIM in close cooperation with the fishing industry.

At EU level there have been, and will continue to be, regular contacts with the Barnier Task Force, Fisheries Commissioner Vella and likeminded Member States at all levels. In all of these contacts I have stressed the importance of a unified EU front and our determination to maintain all of our current rights.  This is a view shared by all of those Member States that have rights in the UK zone.

In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall trade discussions during the negotiations.  I will also 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.

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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58. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures he is proposing to limit the impact of Brexit on farmers in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41662/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Brexit will have an impact on the outlook for Irish agriculture including in Wexford. 

Farming is an essential part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of Ireland. It is also part of a wider EU dispensation that values a Common Agriculture Policy built on family farming, food security, high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability.  These are values that we hold dear, and so it is critically important when we consider the impact of Brexit that the positive contribution of agriculture to the rural and national economy, and to society in Ireland, and indeed elsewhere in the European Union, is to the forefront in our deliberations.

Brexit poses enormous challenges for the sector by virtue of its reliance on the UK market, and the most immediate challenge has been the impact caused by the significant drop in the value of sterling against the euro.

Some of the anticipated longer-term challenges may include tariffs and trade, divergence in regulations and standards, border controls with NI, and certification (including animal and plant health certification).

I am fully aware of the potential impact on the sector and I have undertaken a series of steps to help mitigate the more serious effects.

With Government support, I introduced measures in the last Budget that included a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri-taxation measures, and increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme.

In order to support Bord Bia’s marketing strategy I allocated €3.6m to the Agency to enhance the 2016 and 2017 programmes to support businesses that have strong trading relationships in the UK.  More recently I allocated an additional €6.7m to allow them undertake a market prioritisation programme which I have requested.

My Department is also participating in an inter-departmental group, chaired by DBEI, and consider what further actions may be needed. I have also secured permission from the commission to pay higher rates of advances of the Basic Payment and Rural Development schemes to assist farmers with cash flow issues this year.

In order to retain the hard won markets within the UK, I met with the CEOs of the major UK retailers to impress upon them the value of their trade to the Irish agri food sector.  Next month I will lead a further Trade Mission to South East Asia, this time to Japan and Korea where I, along with Bord Bia, hope to enhance existing markets and develop new markets.

I have also held a series of bilateral meetings with my EU counterparts which are aimed at building alliances to ensure that agri-food and fisheries issues are at the top of the EU negotiation agenda.  Building common ground with other Member States will be critically important in the context of the negotiations.

In all of these engagements I am making clear our demand for continued unfettered access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures, as well as keeping the UK market viable for Irish producers by minimising the risk from UK trade agreements with third countries.

I wish to assure the House that the Government remains very focused on supporting the agri-food industry through the challenges ahead. I will continue to consult with the industry as the negotiations develop, and press Ireland's case for continued free access to the UK market, without tariffs and with minimal additional customs and administrative procedures.