Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The actual sanction applied in each case is a matter for the judge, taking account of the maximum fine limits set in the legislation. The regime in place is required to protect fish stocks and the long-term future of coastal communities.

In order to inform these discussions, I asked the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority for data on the current level of inspections being undertaken by both the Naval Service and the land-based inspectorate on fishing activities. The authority has advised that, in 2007, there were 20,639 landings by Irish and non-Irish vessels into Irish ports, of which 8.6% were inspected. These landings broke down as follows: there were 19,174 landings by Irish vessels, of which 6.7% were inspected, and 1,465 landings by non-Irish vessels, of which 33% were inspected.

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