Irish fishing leaders say EU democracy must be questioned if a fishing nation like Ireland can be denied voting rights on the new EU Fisheries (PECH) Committee. Ireland has 12% of EU fishing waters and no full voting member on PECH, while the Netherlands has 4 full members on it and just 2% of EU waters.
Aodh O Donnell of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO) says Ireland now has no right to vote on key policy and procedural issues like legislation, procedures and controls. “We were already betrayed by the EU into the worst end of the Brexit deal in 2022. How much worse will it be now when the next Trade and Co-Operation Agreement talks begin next year and we have no vote at all.”
Spain has 5 representatives on the 27-member committee, France and the Netherlands have 4 members and even landlocked Hungary has one full voting member. It’s worth pointing out that the Netherlands has a coastline of just 451km while ours is 6 times longer at almost 3,000km.
The new PECH committee met for the first time this week to elect the Chair and vice-chairs. Ireland has been represented on this committee since its inception in 1994, says Dominic Rihan, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation. “Most notably by Pat the Cope Gallagher, who served for three terms. So, this is the first time ever for Ireland to have no full members.”
Brendan Byrne, chief executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association says the PECH committee votes on crucial fishing matters like new legislation, control procedures, and EU directives. “Under the Lisbon Treaty this committee can also initiate a review of the Common Fisheries Policy, which we in the Irish fishing industry believe is long overdue. This is particularly crucial for Ireland as despite having over 12% of EU Waters, we have just 5.6% of the fishing quotas.”
“Ireland’s seafood sector currently contributes €1.3b to the Irish economy per year. If Ireland had a 12% share of EU fishing quotas, it could potentially be worth millions more every year and create more jobs at sea and on shore.”
John Lynch is chief executive of the South & West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WPO. He says the lack of representation means Ireland has no vote in next year’s review of the Brexit-Trade and Co-operation Agreement. “Ireland suffered the greatest fishing quota losses of any Member State in the last round of these trade talks which concluded in December 2020. Over 40% of what was transferred to the UK came from Ireland’s fishing quotas.”
Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation (IS&EPO) says EU committee members are appointed by the EU political groupings which nominate them. He acknowledges that Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan is a substitute member of the committee, but this does not give him full voting rights.
“It would appear that Independent MEP Ciaran Mullooly sought membership of PECH but was denied in favour of returning MEPs, by the rules of the committees This constitutes a total failure at EU level to represent Irish fishing interests. It underlines the ongoing European and Irish political and Governmental failure to value and protect Ireland’s rich marine resources.
Aodh O Donnell says our Government needs to come out say how they intend to address what is now “a serious democratic deficit for Ireland at EU level.” If we are not at the table, the voice of our fishing industry cannot be heard.