Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 141: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps he intends to take at Council of Ministers and European Commission level to effect radical reform of the European Common Fisheries Policy to ensure that Irish naval vessels have real time and accurate information on the updated quota allocation that is available to each individual vessel fishing in Irish waters. [2182/06]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, was comprehensively reviewed in 2002. One of its key outcomes was a greater emphasis on fisheries control. The reformed CFP contains a specific chapter dealing with control and sets a variety of requirements that all member states must implement to ensure that fisheries resources are adequately protected. I understand the potential benefits underpinning the Deputy's suggestion, however, there would be considerable difficulties with its implementation. It would basically require that all member states should have domestic quota management systems. This level of allocation is not the practice in every member state, and such harmonisation is unlikely in the foreseeable future for very complex reasons, including quota ownership.

Quota management systems are therefore likely to remain a matter of policy choice for each member state. However, there are a number of systems already in place that facilitate control of fishing vessels of other member states.

For example, each member state must report to the Commission the level of uptake of their national total allowable catch, TAC, for each fish species. If the TAC of any species is exhausted, the control services of every member state are immediately alerted by the Commission that a fishing stop is in place for that species.

Ireland also receives notification directly from individual member states of lists of fishing vessels that have access entitlement under Community legislation on western waters. Ireland's control services also routinely receive information listing the entitlements of listed fishing vessels to participate in specific fisheries. It also advises the flag member state of the logged catches of vessels boarded. It is, accordingly, a matter for the flag member state to take actions, including possible prosecutions, against any vessel that exceeded any internal catch limits established by its administration.

This co-operation can usefully be strengthened and the impending establishment of the Community Fisheries Control Agency will deliver closer co-operation and thereby make a valuable contribution in the fight against illegal fishing activities.