Dooley raises Hague Preferences and mackerel overfishing in Strasbourg as Ireland prepares for EU Presidency and February AgriFish Council
Ireland’s Minister of State with Responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley TD, travelled to Strasbourg this week to meet EU representatives amid mounting pressure on the Irish fishing industry.
The visit comes as several major Member States — including the Netherlands, Germany, France and Poland — have moved to curtail Irish fishing rights, intensifying tensions ahead of the next Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
Hague Preferences Dispute
A central issue raised by the Minister was Ireland’s dissatisfaction over the blocking of the Hague Preferences at the December AgriFish Council.
The Hague Preferences, agreed in 1976, provide Ireland and the United Kingdom with additional quota allocations in certain stocks where they would otherwise receive disproportionately small shares. The mechanism has historically been invoked when Ireland’s quota share falls below defined thresholds.
At the December Council, Ireland sought to trigger the mechanism but was blocked by other Member States. The decision prevented Ireland from accessing additional quota under the arrangement, further tightening supply for a sector already impacted by post-Brexit quota adjustments.
Timmy Dooley TD said, “It is clear the situation the Irish fishing industry faces is not balanced. I welcome recent engagement by member states and the Commissioner who have listened to my concerns in this respect.”
He added, “A very productive and worthwhile meeting with Costas Kadis, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, in Strasbourg today. I outlined Ireland’s dissatisfaction with the blocking of the Hague Preferences at the December AgriFish Council and overfishing in the North East Atlantic by third countries, including Norway, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and the U.K. Ireland’s fishing and seafood processing industries are paramount to the survival of coastal communities. I am relaying this message to the Commissioner and other member states this week, ahead of February’s AgriFish Council.”
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Commissioner Highlights EU Presidency Priorities
Costas Kadis, EU Commissioner for Fisheries and the Ocean, also confirmed the meeting. He said, “Productive meeting today in Strasbourg with Minister Timmy Dooley on Ireland’s preparations for the upcoming EU Presidency (July–Dec 2026). Discussions covered the priorities of the second semester 2026 including the 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture and the Ocean Act.”
Ireland is due to hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July to December 2026. The Presidency period is expected to coincide with strategic discussions on long-term fisheries policy direction, including the proposed 2040 vision for fisheries and aquaculture and legislative developments under the Ocean Act framework.
Third Country Mackerel Overfishing
The Minister also raised the long-running dispute over mackerel in the North East Atlantic.
Coastal state negotiations have repeatedly failed to secure a comprehensive sharing agreement for the stock. In the absence of agreement, third countries — including Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the United Kingdom — have set unilateral quotas above scientifically advised levels.
Ireland and other EU Member States argue that combined allocations exceed ICES advice, placing pressure on the stock and undermining EU fishermen operating under tighter quota restrictions.
Meeting With Dutch MEP on Pulse Fishing
During his visit, Minister Dooley met Dutch MEP and Fisheries Committee member Bert-Jan Ruissen of the Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (SGP), who is advocating a reconsideration of the EU ban on electric pulse fishing.
Bert-Jan Ruissen said, “As of 1 July, Ireland holds the presidency of the EU. That’s why I already spoke with Timmy Dooley, the Irish Minister of fisheries, about the priorities of SGP. Including the much-needed revision of the landing obligation and the promotion of modern fishing techniques (think of the pulse!).”
Electric pulse trawling involves sending electric currents through the seabed to stimulate flatfish before capture. The practice was banned across EU waters following a 2019 political agreement on new technical conservation measures, with the prohibition taking effect from mid-2021.
The negotiations were contentious, with the European Parliament adopting a firm stance against electric fishing and rejecting attempts to permit its continued use in certain areas.
Pressure Mounting Ahead of AgriFish Council
With Ireland preparing for its EU Presidency and February’s AgriFish Council approaching, the Government is seeking support on quota fairness, third country compliance and broader fisheries reform.
Whether Ireland can shift the balance on the Hague Preferences or influence future mackerel negotiations remains uncertain. The disputes underline ongoing tensions within EU fisheries governance and between the EU and neighbouring coastal states.
