Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 22 November 2012 - Strasbourg

13.3. Conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms (A7-0342/2012 - Pat the Cope Gallagher) (vote)

Before the vote:

  Pat the Cope Gallagher (ALDE). – Mr President, I would very much appreciate it if you would agree at this late stage to accept my request for a roll-call vote on Amendment 32 and again on the amended proposal. The reasons for this will become clearer before the final vote.

  President. − We will proceed as follows. We will begin by holding a roll-call vote on the first block, Amendment 32, which, if adopted, will replace all of the other amendments.

Before the vote on Amendment 33:

  Pat the Cope Gallagher (ALDE). – Mr President, the Committee on Fisheries believes that we, as a Parliament, have no alternative but to stand up to the unacceptable behaviour of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council. Successive Presidents, for the last three years, have completely ignored the role of the European Parliament as a co-legislator in matters relating to multiannual plans.

Multiannual plans, as we all know, are a pillar of the common fisheries policy. These plans are vitally important in terms of protecting fisheries resources and ensuring the livelihood of communities dependent on fisheries. So we, as a directly elected body of the European Union, and the Council of Ministers together share a joint responsibility as co-legislators. The Council of Ministers must wake up to the responsibilities and respect the Treaty of Lisbon and the citizens of the European Union.

So on behalf of the Fisheries Committee, I request the final vote to be deferred under Rule 177(4) of the Rules of Procedure. I would hope that this may be the first of many reports on which the Parliament may have to take a firm stance against the Council until they are willing to enter into meaningful talks so as to resolve this dispute which has been going on for three years.

(Applause)

(The request for referral back to committee was approved)