Vol. 482 No. 7
44 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, which he has made in pressing the EU Commission for tougher measures of enforcement in order to ensure that fishermen landing their catch abroad cannot escape the law. [19009/97]
Ireland has been to the forefront in pushing for additional EU measures which will enhance control and monitoring of fishing vessels landing their catch into member states other than their state of registry. I am glad to say that the Commission is currently preparing proposals for the enhancement of fisheries control measures and I will be pressing the incoming UK Presidency and the Commission for these to be expedited with a view to making substantive progress early next year.
I will continue to press for all member states to show demonstrable commitment to their legal responsibilities to monitor and control the activity of their own fishing vessels, as well as of those other vessels landing into their ports.
