Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2019
336. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount of mussel seed available for fishing in waters in Northern Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2018 according to his departmental advice or records; the amount fished in each of those years; if his attention has been drawn to restrictions that apply to the beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40615/19]
View answer339. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the restrictions on the amount of mussel seed allocated to aquaculture farms in Northern Ireland that can be fished in Irish waters; the process by which such allocation is controlled; if it is linked to the total available mussel seed resource in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40618/19]
View answer340. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his officials has an input into the way in which the relevant authority in Northern Ireland limits the total amount of mussel seed allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40619/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 339 and 340 together.
Total allocations for aquaculture farms in Northern Ireland, estimates of amounts of mussel seed in Northern Ireland waters, the amounts fished and the regulation of fishing activities of such mussel seed are a matter for the authorities there.
Restrictions on mussel seed fishing activity in Irish waters may be subject to regulations from time to time and, in line with other sea-fishing activities, regulated by relevant fishing authorisations to eligible sea-fishing boats.
