Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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448. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the appointment process for Ireland’s two expert representatives on the Expert Committee for Fisheries and Environment, which is being established to advise the Commission on implementation and monitoring of the EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32247/23]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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449. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the positions for Ireland’s two expert representatives on the Expert Committee for Fisheries and Environment, which is being established to advise the Commission on implementation and monitoring of the EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries, will be advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32248/23]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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450. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the positions for Ireland’s two expert representatives on the Expert Committee for Fisheries and Environment which is being established to advise the Commission on implementation and monitoring of the EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries, will be open to experts outside the civil service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32249/23]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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451. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when it is intended to fill the positions for Ireland’s two expert representatives on the Expert Committee for Fisheries and Environment which is being established to advise the Commission on implementation and monitoring of the EU Action Plan: Protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32250/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 448, 449, 450 and 451 together.

The Action Plan to Protect and Restore Marine Ecosystems for Sustainable and Resilient Fisheries is part of the package of measures published by the European Commission in February 2023 to improve the sustainability of the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

In order to support implementation of the Action Plan, the Commission is creating a new joint group which will bring together Member States' fisheries and environmental authorities. The Commission has indicated that stakeholders will be involved as observers to this group.

As is the case with other similar fora, Ireland will be represented by officials of my Department and other relevant Departments. Technical and scientific experts from Departmental agencies such as the Marine Institute will provide support, where required.

The Commission intends to convene the first meeting of this group in early autumn and will provide Member States with further information soon. My Department will advise stakeholders of developments.