Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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886. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the minutes and action points from his meetings with organisations (details supplied) since taking office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3730/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Since my appointment on 2nd September 2020, I have held many detailed and informative virtual meetings with representatives of the Irish fishing industry from the catching, processing and inshore sectors from the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South and East Fish Producers' Organisation (ISEFPO), the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO), the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA).

I held specific fisheries meetings on 16 September, 12 October (with An Taoiseach and Minister Coveney) and 9 December 2020 (with Minister Coveney), to brief industry on the state of play with regard to the Future Agreement negotiations, to hear their concerns and discuss the challenges facing the Irish fishing industry once the UK left the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy.

On 26 November 2020, I chaired a virtual meeting of the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group attended by fishing industry representatives from the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South and East Fish Producers’ Organisation (ISEFPO), the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) as well as environmental NGOs. This meeting is held each year in advance of the negotiations at the December EU Fisheries Council so that the Minister can hear the views of all fisheries stakeholders on the Commission’s proposals for Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas for the following year. I was very pleased with the good engagement at the meeting. The input from stakeholders is an important part of the Sustainability Impact Assessment of the Commission’s proposal, which also includes a public consultation and as well as expert contributions from the Marine Institute (MI) and Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM).

On 9 December 2020, I met by VC with the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish South and West Fish Producers’ Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South and East Fish Producers’ Organisation (ISEFPO), the Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation (IFPO) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) to update industry on the preparations for the December Council. As the negotiations on the EU’s future relationship with the UK were still ongoing at the time, interim arrangements were needed to ensure continuity of fishing in the early part of 2021. The Commission had therefore proposed to set provisional TACs for the first three months of the year. I set out Ireland’s goals for the upcoming negotiations including seeking higher provisional TACs for seasonal stocks such as Mackerel, Horse Mackerel and Blue Whiting.

Also on 9th December 2020, I hosted a meeting of the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF) where the NIFF delivered presentations on the challenges small scale coastal fishers have faced in accessing financial supports and on opportunities the sector would like to maximise into the future. The NIFF also highlighted the worries the Covid-19 pandemic has brought from finances, to health and social inclusion. I encouraged the inshore sector to feed into the development of the Operational Programme for the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund 2021-2027. I also commended the NIFF for giving voice to the stress many have felt since the start of the pandemic.

I also held two virtual meetings with fishing industry representative groups over the course of December Council (on 15 and 16 December) to update them on the progress of the negotiations and a further virtual meeting on 17 December to update on the outcome of Council.

Following the reaching of an Agreement on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation, on 28th December, I (together with An Taoiseach and Minister Coveney) met again with representatives of the Irish fishing industry. I reassured them that I fully understood their concerns regarding a cut in a number of quota shares. I also assured representatives that we will work together with the sector to develop the necessary supports and approach to address these impacts.

I also convened several Consultative Committee meetings of all Departmental stakeholders on 16 September, 21 October and 21 December 2020 to allow for a full exchange of information as the negotiations proceeded and to provide updates on the practical implications of the ending of the transition period. Fishing industry representatives were invited to attend these meetings, along with other agri-food stakeholders, and had the opportunity to make interventions. The most recent Consultative Committee meeting took place last week, on 20 January. Fisheries matters were discussed during the course of this meeting.

Opportunities to meet with the fishing industry representatives are always welcome and I look forward to continuing my close cooperation with the fishing sector.