Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020
598. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reinstate the Border inspection post status at Killybegs seaport in view of the availability of a high capacity cold store (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been actively participating in the whole-of-Government approach to Brexit preparedness and contingency planning. This includes the designation and approval of border inspection posts at ports and airports. The focus to date has been on infrastructure developments and upgrades at border inspection posts in Dublin Port, Rosslare and Dublin airport, due to the volume of trade flows with the UK.
Under existing anti-IUU fishing regulations and North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) requirements, direct landings of fresh fishery products by third country vessels can be authorised to land into Killybegs (or Castletownbere). Ireland does not have a Border Inspect Post to facilitate the landing of frozen fish by third country vessels. Landings of frozen fish, which would require a Border Inspection Post, are small in volume and given the costs associated with such designation, it would not be justified for Killybegs.
