Vol. 443 No. 9
56 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the progress, if any, that has been made to address the recurring difficulties of foreign-registered vessels, particularly Spanish operators, that breach our fisheries legislation; if the co-operation between Irish and Spanish control authorities and monitoring of vessels is working satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
As I indicated in reply to questions on 10 February last, following my meeting with the Spanish Fisheries Minister, Mr. Loira Rua, it was agreed that closer co-operation in the monitoring and control of fishing activities in Irish waters would include enhanced contact between senior personnel on both sides, including inspection staff.
Since then three technical meetings between the inspectorates have taken place and further such meetings are planned. The meetings to date have concentrated on improving the exchange of information on breaches of fishery legislation and the implementation of the pilot satellite monitoring programme. Proposals for interchange of staff are also under consideration.
The increased contact is underpinned by the terms of the new control regulation which requires member states to co-operate in securing conservation objectives. The Commission will actively monitor these steps and where necessary bring the relevant member states together to resolve any matters of dispute.
While it would obviously be premature to suggest that these contacts will eliminate breaches of our fisheries legislation, they are a positive development which I hope will evolve and strengthen over time.
