Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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128. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total mackerel quota available to this country this year; the amount of this quota last year allocated to the five biggest fishing vessels; the amount allocated last year to the inshore sector; the number of boats in the sector; if it is intended to re-balance the allocation of quota in order to give a greater share to the inshore sector this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18204/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's Mackerel quota for 2023 is 52,385 tonnes. In 2022, vessels in the largest category in the RSW Pelagic segment received a catch limit of 2,655 tonnes per vessel. There are eight vessels in this category. In 2022, 400 tonnes was made available to vessel under 15m fishing for mackerel by means of hook and line and 171 tonnes to vessels under 18m fishing mackerel with trawls. There are approximately 1,178 vessels under 12m, commonly referred to as the inshore sector, 62 vessels 12m to 15m and 18 vessels 15m to 18m in length overall which could fish for mackerel.

The Deputy will be aware that the management arrangements for the State’s fisheries, including the Mackerel fishery, have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the introduction of quotas. Pelagic stocks such as Mackerel are managed on an annual or seasonal basis with catch limits set based on allocation regimes developed over many years and related to historical catch records. Amendments to the mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. The 2017 policy is currently subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.

In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I as Minister 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 of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.

As you will appreciate, 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.

Unfortunately, the situation is that if there is an increase in the Mackerel quota for any sector in the allocation made available, it must be taken from others who are already facing significant cuts under the EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement.

There is currently no agreement within the fisheries sector for change from the current approach.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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129. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the latest negotiations with the UK and Scottish governments on reinstating access for the Irish fishing to their traditional fishing grounds at Rockall. [18286/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Ireland has never made any claims to Rockall, nor has Ireland ever recognised UK sovereignty claims over Rockall and accordingly has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it either. This remains the position of the Government.

The Government has been in contact with the relevant Scottish and UK authorities on Rockall over recent years and intensively since the beginning of 2021.

Through this engagement, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting the long-standing fisheries patterns in the area.

Irish vessels have traditionally fished for haddock, which is subject to a quota limit, and squid, which is not subject to a quota limit, in the waters around Rockall. Haddock may be caught both within and outside 12 nautical miles of Rockall but Squid is caught within 6 nautical miles of Rockall. Other stocks caught in the waters around Rockall, both within the 12 miles area and outside, are Monkfish and Megrim.

The squid fishery around Rockall is known to be sporadic and varies from year to year. This is consistent with squid's short life-span and erratic recruitment dynamics.

Approximately 25 Irish vessels have fished in the waters around Rockall during the spring and summer months in more recent years.

Under the EU/UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement, EU vessels must be licensed by the UK authorities. Since 1 January 2021, the licences issued by the UK to EU vessels, where granted, expressly preclude access to the 12 nautical mile zone around Rockall.

I am committed to finding a way forward on this issue that will support the important commercial fisheries around Rockall.I will continue to work closely with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D., over the coming period to address issues involved. To this end, Irish officials are in active ongoing contact with their Scottish counterparts on possible ways forward.