EU Commissioner-designate for Fisheries, Maria Damanaki put in a high level performance at her ratification hearing before the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee in Strasbourg today.



Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP, a Member of the Fisheries Committee today expressed his strong support for the Commissioner-designate for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Maria Damanaki from Greece.



Pat the Cope Gallagher MEP said that "Commissioner-designate Maria Damanaki today has put in a high level and very strong performance at her ratification hearing before the European Parliament."



"In responding to my request to give special recognition to inshore fisheries and small islands, I welcome her commitment today to consider a separate policy for small vessels in the context of the review of the Common Fisheries Policy."



"I also raised the importance of regionalisation and I requested that Regional Advisory Council's be placed on a statutory footing."



"She stated clearly that she intends to work in close partnership with all stakeholders including MEPs, fishermen and the fish exporting industry in order to solve the problems affecting the fisheries sector in Ireland and in Europe."



"The Lisbon Treaty has provided the European Parliament with equal powers to bring forward new policies in the area of fisheries."



"I look forward to working with her in Europe over the next five years on many important issues so that the interests of the Irish fishing industry, coastal communities and islands are fully protected into the future."



ENDS