Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 March 2014
464. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has any concerns regarding the operation of the MFV Margiris in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11808/14]
View answerThe Irish Sea Fisheries Control Authorities are aware of the fact that the fishing vessel Margiris entered the Irish Exclusive Fisheries Zone last week. Control of the vessel within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational matters concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service, which is independent under the Act in the carrying out of these functions.
The fishing opportunities available to Lithuanian vessels, including within the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone for 2014 are set out in Council Regulation (EU) 43/2014 dated 20 January 2014 on a stock by stock basis. In addition to the fishing opportunities allocated in the Regulation, Lithuania may exchange quota with another Member State under the normal arrangements for exchanging quotas.
