Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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At the Fisheries Council in December 2023, I secured additional mackerel quota-share for Ireland worth approximately €3 million annually for Ireland’s fishing industry. This represents the first ever permanent increase in Mackerel quota.

This issue centred on the allocation and distribution of an EU Mackerel quota historically linked to an agreement with Norway, which had been unallocated since 2022. Denmark had been the sole holder of this quota. However, without an agreement on Mackerel in place between the EU and Norway, this quota could not be allocated to Denmark as it had been in the past.

Since this process began, I signaled my willingness to work with the relevant Member States, including Denmark, to resolve this issue. However, Denmark did not begin to engage on this matter in a meaningful way until June last year.

I met with the Danish Fisheries Minister to discuss this matter en marge of the June AgriFish Council. Denmark subsequently put forward to Ireland suggestions for a temporary solution to address the allocation of this quota for 2022 and 2023. However, the temporary solution was contingent on Denmark maintaining its position that it would continue to be the sole holder of this quota. This was not acceptable to me.

My objective from the outset was to secure a permanent and equitable solution to this issue. Furthermore, accepting - even as a temporary measure - that this quota should be allocated only to Denmark, would have undermined Ireland's ability to secure a satisfactory outcome and permanent allocation of Mackerel quota share.

The solution adopted by Member States at December Council, which involves a transfer of part of this quota to the Western Waters area, results in a permanent allocation of additional Mackerel quota for the Irish fleet, rather than a once-off transfer of quota.