Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
903. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, inspections on the fishing fleet will be examined in view of the SFPA report which states that 83% of Irish boats were inspected compared with 4% of Spanish boats; and the reason for the perceived ongoing policy on the part of the SFPA to inspect more Irish fishing boats than foreign-owned boats. [4058/20]
View answerThe monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning law enforcement of sea fisheries law are, as a matter of Statute law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational law enforcement matters such as this.
I have referred the Deputy's request to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority for attention and direct reply.
