John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the status regarding landing times at pelagic ports here; if he has resolved the industrial relations issues which seem to be at the heart of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19907/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously advised the House, new EU control requirements for pelagic fisheries were introduced in 2004. The requirements created onerous obligations for member states to ensure all landings of pelagic fish over ten tonnes were weighed in the presence of controllers. During extensive discussions with the industry on the implementation of the new EU procedures my Department acceded to industry requests to allow landings at a variety of ports. In order to implement this decision with the available resources it was necessary to restrict the landing times in the designated pelagic ports. The new controls were extended to the south and east coast with the inclusion of the Celtic Sea and Irish Sea herring fisheries from 2005 onwards.

While I accept it is desirable to provide 24-hour cover for major ports, where possible this must be balanced by the legal obligations which the State carries to ensure adequate control presence at those ports when they are open. In this respect, I recognise the need to augment the Department's resources to permit effective control for longer opening times at the key ports.

My Department is pursuing a case for the necessary additional resources, which is the primary obstacle to longer opening times at the key ports. I hope to announce the opening of the ports on a 24-hour basis as soon as the outstanding difficulties are resolved.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if, in view of the safety and quality issues involved, small vessels targeting mackerel and herring off the Mayo coast this coming winter will be permitted to land their catches in Achill as was traditionally the case, rather than having to steam to either Killybegs or Rossaveal as is the case under present regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19908/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The EU arrangements for the control of certain pelagic fisheries — horse mackerel, mackerel and north west herring fisheries — which came into effect during 2004 and were revised and extended for 2005 provide for, inter alia, the weighing in the presence of a controller of all quantities in excess of ten tonnes landed of any of these species. During the course of 2004, extensive consultations took place with industry representatives about the implementation of the EU regulation. The five designated ports, Killybegs, Rathmullen, Dingle, Rossaveal and Castletownbere, were chosen on the basis of landing patterns for the species concerned and the resources available to comply with the requirements of the regulation.

The scope of the 2005 Council regulation is wider than that of the 2004 regulation. The 2005 EU regulation requires monitoring of landings of Celtic Sea herring in addition to the other pelagic fisheries subject to these controls in 2004. In this context the provision of the resources needed to meet our obligations under this regulation is even more challenging.

My Department is pursuing a case for additional control resources and in the context of the outcome of that case I am prepared to look again at the ports to be designated for pelagic landings.