Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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378. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to increase the Irish fishers’ share of the EU fishing quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35186/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I can assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, and this Government continue to keep the focus on the disproportionate quota reductions for Ireland and to use any opportunity available to seek constructive solutions that would help to alleviate this unacceptable position.

I am pursuing every opportunity at EU level to increase the available quotas for our fishing fleet. I have raised the matter of inequitable burden sharing at EU level – most recently at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council this week – and in bilateral exchanges with the Commissioner and other EU Member States, whenever suitable opportunities arise, and I will continue to do so.

The Interim Report of the Seafood Sector Taskforce, published earlier this month and supported by all members of the Taskforce, recommends a range of actions to address the quota reductions in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).

The actions include measures relating to Ireland working with other EU Member States on possible opportunities for increased quota shares for the EU in the upcoming Coastal States consultations and pursuing the rebalancing of quota in the context of the upcoming review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The Interim Report indicates that the recommended actions, after further consideration by the Taskforce, will be set down in detail in the main Report.

The next CFP review is due to be completed by the 31st December 2022 and I am committed to doing all possible through the review to secure additional quota where possible for Irish fishers. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council earlier this week I made clear that Ireland will be seeking to address the imbalance in the quota transfers under the TCA.

I will work closely with the Fishing Industry and in line with the recommendations of the final Seafood Taskforce Report to advance the position of the Irish fishing industry in the CFP Review.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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379. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will suspend the mackerel swaps to other EU member states pending a review of mackerel swaps approved through the Quota Management Advisory Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35187/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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If a Member State does not have sufficient quota for a certain species, a quota swap can be agreed with another Member State. Ireland may seek an exchange of quota with another EU Member State to cover a shortfall in quota (or fishing effort - days at sea) for a fish stock in an area for the year. Conversely, Ireland may receive a request from another EU member state for a quota swap. Each swap proposal is considered on a case-by-case basis by my Department taking into account the views and recommendation of the Quota Management Advisory Committee (QMAC), taking into account ratios and market prices in order that swops involve a fair exchange.

Quotas are swapped on a temporary basis but continuously repeated yearly exchange is also possible. Ireland has long established relationships with a number of EU Member States where certain swaps are carried out on a yearly basis, provided Ireland has sufficient quota available for the stock for the area.

As per Part 1.3 of the Minister's 2017 Mackerel Policy, 'A minimum of 2% of the Mackerel quota in the TAC and Quota Regulation, or 1,000 tonnes, whichever is the greater, will be deducted annually for demersal swaps..." As per Part 2.2 of the Minister's Mackerel Policy, there is a distinct purpose for setting aside 2% of the Mackerel quota for such swaps: 'Setting aside a minimum quantity of mackerel quota is intended to take account of the level of swops in recent years and deliver a greater level of assurance for such swops...'

In recent years, the Mackerel quota set aside for such swaps has been swapped out with other EU Member States to secure a greater quantity of crab effort in the Biologically Sensitive Area for smaller vessels in the Irish fleet. This Mackerel quota has also been swapped out to other EU Member States in exchange for high value, and high demand demersal (whitefish) stocks for the Irish whitefish fleet such as Monkfish and Prawns.

As the quantity made available for such swops for 2021 is in accordance with the provisions of Mackerel Policy, it would not be appropriate to consider a suspension of these swops.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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380. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on allocating line caught mackerel quota to the small scale fleet under 12 metre vessels using low-impact gear on an equitable basis as per Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35188/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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An allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for smaller vessels (under 15 metre vessels) fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line was set down in Policy in 2010. The then Minister amended the Mackerel policy in July 2017 after intensive review and public consultation, however this particular amendment did not involve the hook and line fishery. The Minister's policy has regard for the provisions of Council Regulation 1380/2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy.

In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.

There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet. The Deputy should be aware that the 400 tonne limit for the hook and line fishery has not been reduced and has remained the same as in previous years.

Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, such as for the hook and line fishery, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the TCA.