Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 5

Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.

John Perry

Question:

34 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the implications of his decision not to seek the banning of flagships in the recent mid-term review of the programme for Government; and the way in which this decision was reached. [24662/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

39 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, being taken to deal with the problems of flags of convenience vessels in Irish waters; the discussions, if any, he has had on the issue with EU Commissioner, Mr. Fischler; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24732/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 39 together.

The review document is an extension of, and not in substitution for, the Government's Action Programme for the Millennium. The commitments made in relation to flagships remain.

As I have indicated to the House previously, I am giving every priority to mounting, through strict enforcement, an effective ban on the illegal activities of flagships, and of all fishing vessels irrespective of nationality, in the Irish zone.

Ireland has been to the forefront in supporting important new developments in the field of fisheries control. Ireland pushed strongly at the December 1998 council for the adoption of improved monitoring and inspection measures. The new fisheries control regulations which were adopted at that council came into force on 1 July this year and significantly enhance our ability to monitor and inspect flagships in particular. The regulations require flagships to provide a minimum of four hours notice of landings when using a landing location in a member state other than the flag member state. The regulations also extend monitoring of fishery products from the moment of landing until the final marketing stage and provide for enhanced co-operation on fisheries control between member states. In this regard I am pleased to say that arrangements which I have put in place with the UK and Spanish authorities concerning improved co-operation, liaison and information exchange in relation to inspection operations are paying dividends. The success of this joint approach sends a clear signal that illegal fishing will not be tolerated and that the member states concerned are increasingly pre pared to work together to ensure compliance with the rules.

In addition to the considerable tightening up of the regulations, our fisheries protection services at sea and on land are co-operating closely to ensure that flagship activities in the Irish zone are rigorously monitored and controlled.

The package of measures which I have outlined significantly enhance our ability to monitor and control the fishing activities of all vessels including flagships and will help to ensure that wherever fishermen land their catches they will be subject to the same level of control.