Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

109. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the need to urgently review the relevant parts of Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 that cover the structure and operation of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority to ensure a harmonisation of regulation with the rest of the European Union (details supplied). [25830/25]

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

This question asks the views of the Minister of State, Deputy Timmy Dooley, on the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The Minister of State will know already from his brief the serious concerns of people in the fishing and seafood industry about the approach of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, in comparison to other regulators across Europe.

I want to have an exchange with the Minister of State at this early stage in his new role. Our committee will do likewise in the next month or so.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. He will be aware of the engagement I have had with the industry in recent weeks and my commitment to continued engagement with him on the issue. I am looking forward to an opportunity for the committee to address various matters that arise, and I intend to work with the Deputy on that. I will put a few facts on the record first.

The fisheries control regulation provides for a Union fisheries control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy and establishing a level playing field across the EU on fisheries control. The current control regulation entered into force in January 2024 and updates and amends the previous regulation from 2009. The Department is working with the SFPA and relevant Departments and agencies to introduce the required measures to implement the relevant provisions of the updated control regulation at national level. While this may involve amending existing legislation or introducing new legislation, including in respect of certain enforcement measures, it is not envisioned that there will be a review of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 in the manner suggested by the Deputy at this time.

On the accountability of the SFPA, section 48 of the 2006 Act provides for the establishment of an SFPA consultative committee for the purposes of consultations and liaison with the sea-fisheries and seafood sectors and other relevant interests on matters relating to the functions of the authority. In addition, section 68 provides for the accountability of the SFPA to committees of the Oireachtas generally. There is an opportunity to exercise this provision. I am conscious that the consultative committee has a number of vacancies. I intend to address that matter relatively shortly and look forward to the committee engaging with us on it.

An independent review of the organisational capability of the SFPA was completed in April 2020. I will come back to the Deputy in a supplementary reply.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I shared with the Minister of State my direct eyewitness account of the incredible level of oversight that the SFPA has of the industry. I witnessed in a fish factory in Killybegs CCTV cameras and access to the building at any time. Even that was not enough. I do not know of any industry where there would be cameras literally in the workplace every day, with images going directly from the factory floor to the regulator, and yet that is not enough. We have got to the point where it is out of control. I am reliably informed that this type of approach exists nowhere else in Europe. It impacts on the ability of the industry to attract boats to land and do business. Irish boats are going elsewhere because they do not face the same approach. This has to change. The approach that we have seen is over the top and not justified in any way, shape or form.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The principal objective of the review, which was carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers, was to contribute to the ongoing and future development of the organisation. The areas covered by the review were the organisational capabilities of the SFPA to deliver on its mission for the effective and fair regulation - and I emphasise fair regulation - of the sea-fishing and seafood sectors that fall within its mandate. I have to accept that fishermen, fisherwomen and processors do not believe that it is fair. That is their view. The Deputy is entitled to express that here. It would be useful for the matter to be discussed at the committee.

The report contained 46 recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the organisation and the process of implementing the review findings has been completed. The implementation of the recommendations has required investment in systems, restructuring and personnel. An independent advisory board nominated by the Department assisted the management of the SFPA in implementing the recommendations. The Department has provided significant additional resources to the authority in recent years to strengthen it and ensure that it delivers to a high standard in the context of its core responsibilities.

I recognise the point the Deputy raised. These matters can be thrashed out by the new committee. I am pleased that there is a new committee and that it will focus, in particular, on fisheries and the marine.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The committee met earlier today. We looked at our work plan. We will be bringing in the fishing representative organisations, the Irish Fishing and Seafood Alliance, the National Inshore Fishermen's Organisation and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, which represents the inshore and islands, in order that they can have their say in how this is being implemented. We will look at how it compares with what obtains in other European states. We need to make sure that we harmonise regulation across Europe and that there is a level playing pitch for all fishermen. As the Minister of State knows, their livelihoods are at stake. The law can criminalise fishermen. If one speaks to fishermen, as I know the Minister of State and many of our TDs do, they are fearful to speak out. They are afraid for their livelihoods. They will tell you in quiet whispers what they have experienced. I compare it with An Garda Síochána. We have all seen examples of great policing, but sometimes there is also bad policing. Bad policing undermines the confidence of the people you are dealing with. Good policing does the opposite. We have to get back to universally consistent, good policing in the State when it comes to our fishermen.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for his intervention. He is raising concerns and issues that have been shared with him and with me. I met the SFPA. The people I met and the various sections of the organisation are fulfilling their mandate to the best of their ability. We have to recognise that the authority's role is prescribed in legislation. We are precluded from involving ourselves directly in any decisions it takes. The Deputy raised points that are relevant and that an be discussed at the committee.

We also have to recognise that there is an important role for the SFPA in ensuring that we meet our commitments at European level regarding our quota management, landings and all of that activity. We need to look to a future that will involve greater use of technology, as the Deputy identified and as was identified for those of us who had an opportunity to visit the ports, and the level of scrutiny that is now available through such technology. That is where we have to go ultimately, because the sense I get is that the fishing industry generally is committed to doing what is right. We need to work with those on all sides to ensure that this happens.