Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the main agenda matters for the Council of the European Union, Agriculture and Fisheries meeting on 26 and 27 November 2007 that are of concern to Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30133/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The provisional agenda for the next meeting of the Council of Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers, scheduled for 26 and 27 November, indicates that it will deal with both agriculture and fisheries matters. As regards agriculture, the Commission will present its communication to the Council and the European Parliament on preparing for the health check of the CAP reform. It will also present its proposals on reform of the support system for cotton and suspension of import duties in the cereals sector. A proposal for a regulation on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks will be put to the Council for adoption. A significant proportion of the Council will be taken up with trilateral meetings on the proposed reform of the common organisation of the wine market.

In so far as the fisheries sector is concerned, political agreement will be sought on a proposal to establish a multi-annual recovery plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean. In addition, the Commission will provide information to the Council on several issues, namely, the EC-Norway annual consultations for 2008, the proposed action plan for simplifying and improving the Common Fisheries Policy and the proposed strategy and related proposals for the Community to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

It goes without saying that all matters discussed at the Council are of concern to Ireland. As preparations for the Council are continuing in the Council working groups, COREPER and the special committee on agriculture, the nature of discussions in the Council and the issues of particular concern to me may change depending on the outcome of negotiations at official level.

At this point, I have a particular interest in hearing the Commission's presentation of its communication on preparing for the health check of the CAP. The Council meeting will be the first opportunity for the Commission to present its paper to Ministers, which was published earlier this week. My view is that the main focus of this health check should be on simplification and policy stability and I note the assurances already given by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Ms Fischer Boel, that further fundamental reform of the CAP is not envisaged at this point. I will convey these views to the Council and I am looking forward to participating in detailed discussions on this dossier in the coming months.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I cannot understand what the Minister means when she refers to proposals for a regulation of the European Parliament and the Council on the definition, description, presentation and labelling of spirit drinks. Anyone who drinks in this country or anywhere in the world is aware of alcohol content because it is printed on the label of every bottle sold. Any wine with an alcohol content of less than 14% is not worth drinking because it is only paint stripper. There is no need to label spirit drinks.

Will the Minister indicate how many European countries have engaged in the decommissioning plan? As far as I can tell, the only country to have done so is Ireland. She will want to have the relevant information when she goes to Brussels.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The main agenda matter for the meeting is wine reform which, although not particularly consequential to us, will have significant implications for EU wine growers.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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With climate change, it will become important to us.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The first paper on the health check is very important to us. The Deputy will be surprised at the difficulties that have arisen in terms of labelling spirit drinks and the implications it could have on our production. A number of new member states were insistent that the word "vodka" could not be used in Ireland, which was traditionally the practice. Although these matters have implications for Ireland, this specific issue has been resolved.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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On the CAP health check, on the Order of Business yesterday I asked for a debate on these issues on the basis that they will be subject to the co-decision procedure. While it is a legislative proposal and does not specifically relate to the House, it has major potential implications, both positive and negative, for our agriculture sector and the rural economy. Will the Minister consider arranging a full debate on this issue, notwithstanding that it will also be addressed in the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Food? The importance of this issue warrants a debate.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I concur with the Deputy that a debate would be fruitful, whether in the Chamber or the committee system, as I would welcome an opportunity to hear the views of Members. The Department is establishing a consultative group of stakeholders to advise me on the health check. We also have a specific one on milk quotas. I am sure we could raise the matter with the Whips. Once we have the Commission's proposals, legislation will be proposed in early spring with a view to completing the process at the end of 2008.

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I have already raised the issue with my party Whip who indicated such a debate would be unlikely.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy, bolstered by the commitment given on record by the Minister, should be able to raise the issue with his party Whip again.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Has the Minister prepared her views on genetically modified organisms for the after-dinner discussion?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a lunch rather than an after-dinner discussion and will be attended by a restricted group.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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That is not the point. Has the Minister prepared her views?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That process is not complete. I must have further discussions with Members in preparing my speaking notes. As the Deputy will be aware, these are private views and the discussion at lunch will also be private.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the strategy to prevent——

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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It is smoke and daggers, Minister.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Is that what it is called?

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Allow Deputy Sheahan to continue without interruption, please.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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——deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, the Minister has much work to do. I have met fishing groups around the country and it is clear the Irish fishing fleet is the most regulated in Europe. Our European counterparts who are plundering our waters——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Deputy should ask a question.

Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister assure that Ireland will, to use her word, have "equivalence" regarding the strategy to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing? I hope she will have a strong input into the strategy.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the competent authority will be my Minister of State. It is more the pity that so few questions were tabled on fishing but perhaps this is a matter for consideration in future. The Deputy is correct that a strategy is being prepared and the Minister of State has been part of that process, having met representatives of other member states on a number of occasions. The issue at stake is equivalence and the rules and regulations imposed on Irish fishermen should be imposed in a similar fashion on fishermen in other member states. It is unfortunate that this has not been the case to date.