Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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509. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect our fishing interests at EU level; the status of discussions ahead of the December EU Council meeting of fisheries ministers at which the 2019 allowable catches and quotas will be agreed; and the bilateral discussions he has had in 2018 with his counterparts regarding 2019 total allowable catches and quotas. [48059/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Let me begin by reassuring the Deputy that the fishing industry is a key priority for this Government and my officials and I are constantly engaged in protecting and enhancing the interests of that industry across a wide range of issues at all levels within the EU.  

While the process for deciding on TAC levels for 2019 concludes in December, our preparation begins much earlier. The scientific data upon which the Commission bases its proposals generally becomes available from June onwards and that is when we begin our preparation in earnest. That data is informed by the work of the Marine Institute amongst others who work closely with the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES). 

Discussions take place with many parties on issues in relation to December Council. There will be high level meetings with the Commission, the Presidency and other Member States as part of the preparation for the December Fisheries Council and a number of important technical meetings. There are also international negations to be concluded before December, for example those taking place this week in  London on mackerel – our single most important fishery. 

I engaged with a number of my Ministerial colleagues earlier this week at the Agriculture & Fisheries Council. These meetings help me to understand the priorities of other Member States and also gauge where Ireland can build relationships to help us deliver our priorities at the December Council.  

My aim in all of these negotiations is always, in consultation with the stakeholders, to ensure that we have a profitable and sustainable fishing industry that will continue to benefit our coastal communities. As part of this, I have also launched a public consultation as part of our Sustainability Impact Assessment and I look forward to the outcome of that process which I intend to lay before the Oireachtas later this month.  

This year, we are facing and additional challenge with the Landing Obligation - or discard ban- coming fully into force.  Without pre-empting the outcome of the Sustainability Impact Assessment, or going into a stock by stock analysis, it is safe to say that I am concerned about a number of the proposals. Where cuts are justified by the scientific advice I will support them but I must be satisfied that the advice from ICES is being applied correctly by the Commission and in a fair and consistent manner. 

I am always conscious of the immediate impacts the decisions taken at the December Fisheries Council have for so many communities around our coast. This is why I believe the advance preparation should be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible involving my own Department as well as Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute; all industry representatives and the Environmental Pillar. This process is invaluable and helps me identify the key areas of concern.  

The December Council is always a challenge and this year will be no different. I endeavour to ensure that my direct engagement and that of my officials with the issues concerning fisheries at EU level is as comprehensive as possible. I can assure the Deputy that Ireland is well prepared and I will do my utmost to ensure that the final outcome is one that is good for the industry and the long term sustainability of the stocks.