Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
514. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the European Commission has stated its intention to initiate infringement proceedings against Ireland and other north western waters member states over their failure to ensure adequate monitoring and control of the landing obligation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27447/21]
View answerDuring 2020, the European Commission carried out a series of audits on Ireland and the other Member States in the North Western Waters region in relation to the control, enforcement and inspection of activities relevant to the landing obligation.
The Commission forwarded its draft audit report to Ireland for comment last month. The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are 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. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those raised in the draft report. The SFPA prepared a detailed response to the draft audit report, which has been submitted to the Commission.
The Commission has advised that it expects to follow up with Ireland to identify the most appropriate way to ensure that the issues identified will be effectively resolved.
