Common Fisheries Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021

Tuesday, 5 October 2021

Questions (750)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

750. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the Common Fisheries Control programmes under articles 60 and 61 of EU Council regulations that allow non-Irish registered European vessels to land their fishing catches at Irish ports without any checks being carried out by the SFPA and in which responsibility for checks is laid upon their home countries once they return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47817/21]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 this. I have accordingly referred your queries to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.