Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the necessary resources will be made available to carry out the scientific analysis required to guarantee that the Celtic Sea is not included in new control measures in 2009 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43936/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the EU Commission proposal that was made this year to include the Celtic Sea cod stock within the terms of the Community's Cod Recovery Plan. The original plan was introduced in 2004 for four cod stocks: in the North Sea and Skaggerak, in the area West of Scotland, in the Kattegat and in the Irish Sea. The plan, which set out catch ceilings and an array of technical management measures, was a response to scientific advice that these stocks were in decline and in danger of collapse.

Scientific assessments have shown that, after four years of application, only one stock (cod in the North Sea) demonstrated signs of recovery. The slow progress made towards achieving the Cod Recovery Plan's goals prompted a re-examination and revision of the original plan this year. As part of this revision, the Commission proposed that the Celtic Sea cod stock be included under the umbrella of the plan. The Commission's scientific advice indicated that the Celtic Sea cod stock was also in need of rebuilding.

However, I and my colleague, Minister of State Killeen, strongly argued at Council that the terms of the Cod Recovery Plan were not suited to the Celtic Sea fishery. Instead, we maintained that rebuilding measures based on the use of "smart" fishing gear (which reduces cod catches sea) and targeted area closures (some of which had already been proposed by fishermen and implemented to protect spawning cod) would be much more effective and better suited to the Celtic Sea fisheries.

Our consistent and firmly held belief was that the approach put forward by the Commission was not suited to the Celtic Sea and that it would not effectively rebuild that cod stock. This point of view was finally accepted, and I am very pleased that Council supported and took on board this approach.

However, Ireland is committed to playing its full part in managing this stock responsibly. Irish scientists, industry and managers will continue to work together to carefully examine proposals for management measures and ensure that any measures implemented are both necessary and effective. Our common goal is to have a sustainable fishing industry with sustainable fish stocks operating in waters around the coast.