Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein)
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It was mentioned that a vessel is ultimately the responsibility of the flag state. I note from a previous discussion that the Naval Service boarded the FV Margirisin November 2016. I am focusing on this vessel only because it is the second largest vessel in the world and it gives rise to great concern when it is off our coast. It was said earlier that, under European regulations, SFPA officers cannot be on board a vessel for longer than four hours and that the authority has the power to call a vessel to port, but to do that it must demonstrate reasonable cause. Do the witnesses believe that there is need for strengthening of legislation at European level to give the authority the powers to be on board those trawlers when they are in Irish waters given their capacity to do damage? From my perspective, it is outrageous that there is a four-hour limit in terms of on-board inspections.

My understanding, based on what the SFPA said in its evidence, is that it is impossible to give a cast-iron guarantee in regard to the operations of these super trawlers because of the difficulty in accessing them, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and because the SFPA does not have the power to bring them into an Irish port unless it can demonstrate reasonable cause. I believe there needs to be an amendment of the legislation or regulations at European level such that when these trawlers enter Irish waters, legally under the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, it is possible to have people on board for much longer than four hours. I would argue that our officers should be permitted to remain on board for the duration of the time they are in Irish waters. I would welcome the witnesses' opinion. If they do not agree with my proposition perhaps they would outline their ideas in this regard. I note the witnesses' remarks in regard to technology, but I believe to ensure proper monitoring, we need people on board vessels while they are in Irish waters. That has to be the quid pro quofor these vessels being given access to our waters.