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MARINE TIMES NEWS July 2nd:
Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs publishes first Annual Report

The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs have published its Annual Report, which marks its first year of work since it was established as a standalone Committee in May 2025.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Conor McGuinness said: “The Joint Committee considers the establishment of a standalone Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs with a weekly slot to be a welcome development.

“The establishment of this Committee has facilitated an enhancement in the level of political scrutiny applied to policy issues impacting on Ireland’s fishing industry, marine environment, and coastal communities.

“This is particularly welcome at a time where the fisheries sector is experiencing unique pressures and changes such as climate change, cuts to quotas, increasing costs, and the impacts of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

“This annual report demonstrates the broad range of issues considered by the Committee and highlights important outputs such as Committee reports, engagement with state bodies, scrutiny of EU legislative proposals, and providing a political forum for debate and deliberation.”

The Annual Report highlights how:

• The establishment of a standalone Committee has allowed for an enhancement in the level of political scrutiny applied to policy issues impacting on fisheries and our marine environment, at a time of significant pressures to the sector including quota cuts, climate chance, cost pressures, and the impacts of Brexit;

• The Committee has provided an important forum for highlighting fisheries and maritime affairs issues, with over 58 hours of discussion across 34 meetings, with 198 witnesses attending the Committee;

• The Committee has engaged in significant scrutiny on EU issues, publishing three political contributions on EU legislative proposals and engaging with the Minister on his attendance at relevant meetings of the Council of the EU;

• The annual report is a useful reflection point and the Committee considers that its role would be enhanced by an extension of its remit to cover inland fisheries issues – it will continue to make the case but in the meantime will work collaboratively and constructively with other Committees of shared interest.

Deputy McGuinness said: “However, the Joint Committee considers that its role would be enhanced by an extension of its remit to include issues relating to inland fisheries. Given the broad expertise of this Committee in fisheries issues, and the commonality in issues impacting on sea and inland fisheries, there is a clear logic and synergy to having sea and inland fisheries considered in a cohesive manner by a single Committee on Fisheries. Furthermore, it would bring all elements of what Minister for State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley has termed his ‘virtual Department of the Marine’ under a single Committee.

“The Joint Committee has engaged with the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform on this issue. While the Committee will respect and abide by the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform’s decision not to extend our remit, the Joint Committee remains of the view that its remit should be extended to inland fisheries issues and will continue to make its case in the event of further reviews of Committee remits.

“Notwithstanding the Joint Committee’s position on its remit, we welcome the valuable work being undertaken on inland fisheries by the Committee on Climate, Environment and Energy, and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and constructively with that Committee on matters of shared interest.”

The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad. The Annual Report can be downloaded here.

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In our July edition -

Report on Sea Fisheries Protection calls for a new chapter of engagement, mutual rights and services, and accountability; Inshore fishermen need support framework; It's a pivotal time for the fishing industry as we await the Task Force report on fishing / seafood to be published and implemented ....

.... all of this plus so much more in our July issue

Puchase a single issue download from this link for just €2 - Order here

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