Vol. 516 No. 4
8 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 with EU Commissioner Fischler on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8185/00]
Our fisheries protection services at sea and on land work closely to ensure that flagship activities in the Irish zone are rigorously monitored and controlled. The new EU fisheries control regulation which came into force last year provides for a much tighter control regime generally, including the monitoring of flagships. Vessels intending to land into ports other than those of their flag state must give at least four hours advance notice. They must also specify the port of landing and time of arrival.
The advance notice requirements facilitate a very targeted scrutiny of flagship landings by the Department's sea fisheries officers. The new regulations also provide a framework for closer co-operation and information exchange between member states. Long-standing co-operation and information exchange with UK authorities has paid dividends in terms of enhanced control of flagship activities. Arrangements are also in place to improve on-going liaison with Spanish authorities.
The Minister is meeting Commissioner Fischler next week to outline his policy priorities in sea fisheries. These include improved technical conservation measures to protect vulnerable fish stocks and the urgent need for member states to ensure compliance with the rules by all EU fishing fleets, irrespective of where they are flagged.
Does the Minister of State agree that flags of convenience are extensively used to avoid proper health and safety regulations on ships? Does he also agree that they are used to employ non trade union labour and to avoid national and international statutory regulations? Will the new four hour notification arrangement allow sufficient time for health and safety officers to inspect facilities and health and safety precautions on ships?
I would not wish to disagree with the Deputy and I welcome his comments, and those of other Deputies, on this issue. I live among the fishing community and I am well aware of the difficulties. Approximately 150 flagships operate in western waters. Most of these ships are UK registered, 12 are on the Irish register, and an increasing number are registered in France and Germany, most of which are Spanish-owned.
There is close liaison and exchange of information with UK authorities on fisheries control, including flagships, which covers the issue of health and safety raised by the Deputy. This exchange has contributed considerably to a tightening up of the regime, but we are not fully there yet.
What message will the Minister give to Commissioner Fischler next week?
By and large the message will be along the lines suggested by the Deputy. The issue of flagships has to be put in fairly stern terms to the Commissioner. Of all problems related to the sea, this one raises its head most often.
In answer to a question tabled on 25 November 1999, the Minister confirmed that, although it was not included in the mid-term review of the programme for Government, it was still the Government's intention to seek the banning of flagship vessels, based on the commitment given when it entered office. Is the Government serious in its intent to ban flagships? The Minister of State must know, having seen the British experience, that this is a non-starter. Will he admit this is an unrealistic proposal?
There is aspiration and there is realism, and I accept what the Deputy says. It is not easy to eliminate flagships. We want to eliminate the illegal activities of flagships through effective controls. EU treaty provisions on the right of establishment and freedom of movement may make a total ban unrealistic. There are ongoing efforts to ensure closer economic links with the countries of registry. It is a complex debate. While this is aspirational, it is very much on the agenda and it is our intention to raise the issue with Commissioner Fischler.
Landings by flag of convenience vessels are not monitored between 6 p.m. on Friday evening and 9 a.m. on Monday morning. Is the Minister aware that these ships are landing at the weekend so their catches are not monitored?
