Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Bill is intended to protect the legal fishermen from the others, whether they be Irish or European or non-EU vessels involved in illegal activity around our coasts. I will continue to try to ensure that this Bill achieves this and that the law is in place for the future.

Deputies Broughan and Jim O'Keeffe referred to my surrendering an Irish quota of just over 6,000 tonnes of fish to the EU. I did not surrender anything. The EU had a report from the Scottish fisheries authority that illegal landings took place in two Scottish ports. The Scottish investigations clearly indicated that Irish vessels were involved in illegally landing more than 41,000 tonnes of fish in two centres. The process is well documented and is the subject of prosecution by the Scottish authorities. When I met the Commissioner last Monday he informed me that the 6,500 tonnes illegally fished in 2005 by Irish boats would be deducted immediately in accordance with Article 23.4 of European law.

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