asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the steps the Government are taking to ensure that re-registered Spanish vessels are complying with regulations; if their landings are been checked and verified; if the relevant Government Department have taken steps to examine the employment status of the crews aboard the vessels concerned.
Written Answers. - Ex-Spanish Fishing Vessels.
423.
The Naval Service, in the course of their fishery protection work, regularly checks that ex-Spanish vessels registered here fish in accordance with the terms of the fishing licences issued to them. Infringements of the terms of the licences can result in arrest. In accordance with the provisions of the licences, my Department are furnished on completion of each voyage with a return of the quantities of each species of fish landed. Validation of these returns is carried out by officers of the Department. I understand that the employment status of the crews of these vessels has been examined by the Department of Labour.