John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the EU countries which have the 1993 Torremolinos Protocol in operation; when they were enacted in those countries; the extent to which the protocol has been brought into Ireland; and if it is now mandatory to abide by the protocol. [8844/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is mandatory for all EU countries under the EC Council Directive 97/70/EC of 11 December 1997, as amended, to have the protocol in operation. The provisions of the directive lay down harmonised standards for seagoing fishing vessels of 24 m in length and over in so far as the annexe to the Torremolinos Protocol applies. Regulations were put in place in 1998 to implement the directive into Irish law.

These regulations apply to new fishing vessels built on or after 1 January 1999 and have applied for existing vessels since 1 July 1999. Vessels complying with the directive are issued with a certificate of compliance valid for four years subject to annual and bi-annual intermediate surveys. The regulations introduce a survey and certification regime for both new and existing vessels.