Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Steele and the other members of the SFPA for attending here. I would like to read one paragraph of the document they submitted to the committee and ask a question. It states:

... commission identified that the operators did not have in place a "weighing system fit for purpose" and the audit identified manipulation of weighing systems. Moreover, although aware of these shortcomings, Ireland did not take appropriate measures to address such noncompliance, in particular by withdrawing the permission to weigh after transport. Consequently, the control plan does not minimise the risk of systematic manipulation of weighing of pelagic catches in Ireland and the under-declaration of catches by operators.

I take it that by "Ireland" is meant the SFPA in this regard. I am sure at the time the SFPA could have acted in relation to individuals and that, rather than penalising the whole industry and adopting a blanket approach as we have experienced, which has had the effect of making life impossible for everybody, the SFPA could have dealt with individuals. There is no doubt that, with any system, no matter what it is, somebody will try to manipulate it at some time. You have to deal with the manipulation, not penalise the whole industry. Does Dr. Steele accept the SFPA has fallen down where these issues were not dealt with individually and that has led to the whole industry being impacted by the changes that have been put in place? Dr. Steele dealt with the questions on the whitefish sector which I was to ask as well.

The EU control plan says it all. Monkfish should be weighed individually but it does not apply to EU-registered or UK-registered vessels at Irish ports. Where is the fairness in that and what comments has Dr. Steele on that?

Irish fishermen are responsible for 1% of infringements under EU law. We seem to be subject to the strictest enforcement of anybody. How does Dr. Steele view the enforcement that is taking place in Ireland versus that taking place across the EU in fisheries issues? Those are all my questions.