Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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736. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he would consider directly contacting all EU member states’ ambassadors, including all non-coastal states, to convey to them the crises within the Irish fishing and processing sectors; if he would further outline the damage that third country coastal states are doing by fishing above their agreed shares; if he would underline as part of this process the importance that the EU Commission honour the Hague preference agreement that is an integral part of the CFP agreement since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66059/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with Third Countries.

The ICES advice for 2026 shows a reduction of almost 70% for Mackerel.

Ireland has repeatedly raised the overfishing of mackerel by some Coastal States outside the EU over recent years.

I raised the issue as an AOB at the October Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, calling for urgent action at EU level to protect our key pelagic stocks. I reiterated this again last week at the November AgriFish Council Meeting. I will continue to highlight this critical issue for our fishers, and to engage intensively with the European Commissioner for Fisheries and other Member States on possible actions to protect our stocks.

At the November Council meeting, I also confirmed Ireland’s intention to invoke the Hague Preferences at the appropriate time. The Hague Preferences give Ireland an increased share of important fish stocks when Total Allowable Catch (TAC) levels reduce below a specified level. The Hagues are a matter for Member States at Council, rather than the European Commission. I made clear to Member States at the November Council meeting that the Hagues are a fundamental part of relative stability and have been recognised as such in the legal framework of the Common Fisheries Policy since 1983 when the CFP was established.

As we move towards the finalisation of setting the 2026 fishing opportunities at the December Agriculture and Fisheries Council, my focus over the coming weeks is to continue to work towards the best possible outcome for Ireland’s seafood sector in 2026 - one that ensures the sustainability of the stocks and a level playing field for our fleet.