Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Irish Naval Service monitors fishing activities of foreign fishing vessels as part of normal patrol missions. The Naval Service can board vessels at sea and inspect fishing gear used by vessels according to methods and criteria established and prescribed by EU fisheries legislation so vessels comply with requirements and minimum mesh sizes. Vessels are also boarded at sea and the catch inspected for compliance with EU fisheries legislation governing minimum sizes of fish. The Naval Service can also verify the proper recording of catches.

Many vessels land at Irish ports so the Department's land-based inspectorate carries out regular checks of all vessels when they discharge fish into Irish ports. Foreign vessels, like Irish vessels, are required to give prior notification of landing, including information of the catch on board and where it is proposed to land. Inspections carried out by sea fisheries officers check when the vessels land in Ireland and check the advance notification information against the catch records in the EU fisheries log book and against the fish landed.

I can give assurances that as far as is possible and practical, we carry out all necessary checks. I understand Deputy Perry's concern as there is a perception that such checks do not take place. These checks will continue to take place.

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