Outcome of the December Fisheries Council Meeting

Part of Ministerial Statement – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 12:15 pm on 25 January 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin 12:15, 25 January 2016

I have no details on the latter two elements that you referred to, but I am very happy to respond to you in writing to give you more detail on where those projects sit.

It was a very difficult negotiation, and nephrops, or "prawns" as they are commonly known, are the most important fish stock for the local industry, so I was delighted that we were able to turn around what was potentially a very negative and detrimental cut to the industry and come out with an 8% increase. That creates a real and meaningful difference for the industry, which particularly needed it this year, given the challenges that it faces around white fish, discards, and selectivity and the other challenges to be met on the landing obligation. From that point of view, it was quite a successful negotiation.