Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1057. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation process as part of the consultation paper to review the options for more restricted access for large fishing vessels trawling inside Ireland’s six-nautical-mile zone is expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15322/18]
View answer1068. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the consultation on fishing inside the 12 mile limit is likely to commence; the time limit for submissions; when the results will be known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1057 and 1068 together.
The issue of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been raised by a number of stakeholders. My Department is currently in the final stages of preparing a formal paper to include possible measures. I hope to be in a position to present this paper for a full public consultation in the coming weeks.
The potential impact of limiting access to different categories of vessels in inshore waters and within 6 nautical miles has been the subject of scientific and economic reports by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara. There has also been preliminary engagement with fisheries representative groups in respect of these reports. The forthcoming consultation paper will set out possible measures and their potential impacts.
The consultation will be advertised in the National press to ensure the widest possible audience. Let me reassure the Deputy that once the public consultation begins, adequate time will be provided to ensure that the diverse interests of all stakeholders are considered and any possible measures will be fair and balanced.
In relation to the Deputy’s other question, my Department is not currently preparing a consultation regarding the 6 to 12 nautical mile limits.
