Ireland’s leading maritime newspaper covering the Coastal, Fishing and Maritime Communities

MARINE TIMES NEWS February 3rd:
Fisheries Commissioner questioned on loss of Hague Preferences

“Engagement must now translate into concrete action”

MEP for Ireland South and Leader of Fine Gael in the European Parliament, Seán Kelly, has challenged the European Commission on the outcome of the December Fisheries Council, warning that the blocking of the Hague Preferences has dealt a serious blow to Ireland’s fishing communities and risks undermining trust in the EU.

Speaking following an EPP Group debate with EU Fisheries Commissioner, Costas Kadis, Mr Kelly said the decision to block this long-standing protection mechanism was deeply disappointing at a time when Irish fishers are already under unprecedented pressure.

“The loss of the Hague Preferences has had a devastating impact on coastal communities, reducing fishing opportunities and putting jobs at risk. It has also damaged confidence in the fairness of EU decision-making in our fishing communities, which is even more disappointing given Ireland has consistently been among the most pro-European Member States,” he said.

Mr. Kelly noted that the Commissioner acknowledged of the seriousness of the situation in response to the questioning and committed to examining ways to assist Irish fishers in the wake of the December Council, a commitment that Mr. Kelly has warmly welcomed.

Mr. Kelly also warned that the Commissioner's recent positive engagement with fishing communities risks being undone by the Commission’s own budget proposal, as set out in the proposal for a new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the years 2028-2034.

“A proposed 67% reduction in the Common Fisheries Policy budget, even when compared with the disappointing 24% cut to CAP, is simply disproportionate and unacceptable. Fishing communities cannot be asked to absorb cuts of that scale,” he said.

Mr Kelly further highlighted the lack of binding obligations on Member States to include key fisheries measures such as innovation and generational renewal in national plans, stressing that these are essential for the long-term viability of coastal communities.

He also underlined the need to address the unlevel playing field created by non-EU vessels operating in Irish waters and taking more than their fair share.

“I welcome the Commissioner’s willingness to engage, but engagement must now translate into concrete action. Irish fishing communities are at a tipping point, and the EU must act fairly and decisively. I look forward to further follow-up engagements with the Commissioner in the months ahead,” Mr Kelly concluded.

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