Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1884. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps that he is taking to ensure that the Common Fisheries Policy supports inshore fishers. [2263/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) Regulation (Regulation EU 1380/2013) sets down the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources.  Within this legal framework, I consistently work to support the interests of inshore fishers. I have strongly pursued the delivery of the restriction on larger vessels inside 6 nm, which is a commitment in our Programme for Government. However, in 2019, a Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishermen challenging the validity of the Policy giving effect to this restriction. The Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on 19th July last and requested further submissions from both parties. These have been provided to the Court on my behalf. Unfortunately, as this matter continues to be sub judice, I cannot comment further at this time.    

The CFP Regulation provides that the European Commission will report to the European Parliament and the Council on the functioning of the CFP by the end of 2022. It is my understanding that this report will be released in the coming weeks.

In preparation for this report, last year, I established a national Common Fisheries Policy Review Group of relevant stakeholders to examine the issues that arise for Ireland in the context of the CFP Review, to advise me on priorities for the negotiations and to identify strategies most likely to influence the outcome of the review.   The Group involved representatives of key industry and environmental stakeholders, including the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), which represent island and inshore fishers.

The CFP Review Group submitted its final report to me on 5th August 2022.  The Group is of the opinion that legislative changes are needed due to a number of critical issues confronting the fishing industry including, but not limited to, the impact of Brexit, the social and economic sustainability of fisheries dependent communities, food security, climate change and biodiversity loss.  The stakeholders have set out a number of recommendations on aspects of the CFP which need to be addressed in order to adapt to the monumental changes of recent years and ensure a sustainable future for the sector.   

I forwarded a copy of the report to the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius.  I have made clear that I am fully satisfied that this report demonstrates that there is need for legislative changes in the current policy to address the disproportionate impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement and in the context of the new environmental challenges we are all facing.  I have asked him to review the report's findings and recommendations and consider how these can be taken forward to support a fair and balanced CFP.  I also brought the report to Government for its information.

I continue to liaise directly with IIMRO and NIFF to hear the concerns and goals of the inshore fishing sector. I am committed to working with them to address their issues and to provide support.