Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
511. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the absence of the capability by the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency to board large foreign vessels, he will seek EU approval of the right to impound vessels while inspections take place. [21430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. The SFPA and the Naval Service through the Fisheries Monitoring Centre monitor the movements of vessels when in our Exclusive Fisheries Zone, using the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), Automatic Identification System (AIS) and declared catches through Electronic Reporting System (ERS). The SFPA is reliant on the seagoing fishery patrol activity of the Naval Service to verify compliance of vessels not landing into Ireland. Further details of monitoring and control of fishing activities by all vessels within Ireland's 200 miles Exclusive Economic Zone may be sought from the SFPA who are the competent authority.
Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, an exclusive competence of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. As Minister I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement.
In relation to the overall framework for fisheries control in the EU, Council Regulation 1224/2009 establishes a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy. Only the EU Commission may propose changes to that regulation and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council.
