Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 November 2020
211. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have the Navy board any of the factory vessels currently fishing off the west coast for mackerel to check them for compliance with the Common Fisheries Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/20]
View answerI should advise the Deputy that the 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 are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's requests to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.
