Pat the Cope Gallagher (ALDE). - Madam President, from the outset I want to thank the House for their support in November and January in deferring my report on technical conservation measures. The whole purpose of deferring the vote was to focus attention on the impasse between Parliament and the Council of Ministers on the issue of long-term management plans.
No progress had been made on these important plans since the introduction of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009; and this was by sucessive Council presidencies. Long-term management plans will be a key cornerstone of the new and reinforced common fisheries policy – which we have just recommended – as the purpose of these plans is to protect fishery resources while ensuring the livelihood of communities depending on fisheries. Last week the issue was discussed by Ministers under the Irish Presidency. The Irish Minister confirmed to the Chair of the Committee on Fisheries, Gabriel Mato, that the Council will make every effort to find an acceptable compromise. So as a gesture of goodwill the Committee on Fisheries have decided to go ahead and vote on my report today.
However, the committee, let me say a note of warning, will closely monitor developments over the next number of weeks and if no progress is made we will review our position and we may – hopefully only may – be forced to block the adoption of further reports if necessary.
Werner Langen (PPE). - Frau Vizepräsidentin! Könnten Sie entweder sofort das Telefonieren einstellen oder Ihren Platz für einen fähigen Präsidenten räumen?
(Beifall)
Πρόεδρος. - Κυρίες και κύριοι συνάδελφοι, τα σχόλια εκφράζουν αυτούς που τα διατυπώνουν.