Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 3

Written Answers. - Spanish Fishing Vessels.

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

629 Mr. Gallagher (Donegal South-West) asked the Minister for the Marine the permanent policing measures, if any, that are being put in place to monitor Spanish fishing vessels in the Irish box since 1 January 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1429/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

Following the Council agreement of December 1994 on Iberian intergration into the Common Fisheries Policy, detailed monitoring and control rules for implementation of the new regime were negotiated and agreed last year.

Under the new arrangements which came into operation on 1 January, the total number of Spanish vessels allowed in Irish waters remains limited to 93, of which 40 named vessels only are permitted to fish inside the Irish Box. the entry/exit reporting system, which requires prior notification by all large fishing vessels entering and leaving Irish waters and the Irish Box, is now operating to ensure that our air and sea fisheries protection services can closely target illegal access or other illegal fishing activity in Irish waters generally and the Irish Box.

The Naval Service, the Air Corps and the Department of the Marine are working intensively together to ensure that our sea and land based fisheries surveillance resources are deployed efficiently and effectively in implementing the new control and monitoring regime and ensuring that all vessels fishing in Irish waters comply with the rules. Three vessels have been detained already this year for alleged fishing offences, demonstrating the high level of effectiveness of the fisheries protection services in detecting and apprehending vessels suspected of having committed fishing offences.

Further enhancement of the protection capability is planned under the new EU five year financial aid package for fisheries surveillance. I will be putting my proposals in this regard to Government shortly with a view to subsequently negotiating a programme for 1996 and future years with the Commission. My objective is to secure at minimum cost the necessary resources to further strengthen our existing surveillance capability.