Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
293 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the plans he has for a proper EU coastguard in view of the significant level of drug importation into Europe via the sea and the ever growing threat of terrorism; and the need to police the CFP. [31537/04]
View answerMy Department has responsibility for marine emergency preparedness and response, ship and port security and the Common Fisheries Policy. A high level of co-operation exists between EU member states relating to these areas. There have been discussion papers and proposals at various stages to establish an EU coastguard aimed especially at drug interdiction and intervention on the high seas. There are, however, no firm proposals at the moment, at European level to develop policies in that direction.
With regard to fisheries control under the Common Fisheries Policy, the EU has decided on the establishment of a Community control agency, which will be based in Spain. Control and enforcement is an important element of the objective to ensure sustainability of fish stocks. Many fish stocks migrate between different jurisdictions of member states and there is, therefore, a requirement for effective co-ordination and co-operation in fisheries control and enforcement. A key objective of the proposed Community fisheries control agency is to improve such co-operation and co-ordination between member states and, accordingly, I welcome the establishment of this agency.
