Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the implementation of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 including the establishment of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority; his plans to improve the monitoring of Ireland's waters and developments in the EU fisheries control regime administered from Vigo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20646/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 was enacted on 4 April 2006. Following the enactment I introduced secondary legislation, as provided for in the Act, to bring into force EU and national control and conservation measures. I have also put in place arrangements, as provided for in the Act, for quota management and the granting of authorisations to fish for certain fish stocks. I have asked the Department to put in place the necessary structures and arrangements to allow for the establishment of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority at an early date.

The European Fisheries Council agreed in 2005 to establish a Community Fisheries Control Agency to improve cooperation and coordination between the control authorities of Member States. The Agency is to be based in Vigo, Spain and is expected to become operational before the end of 2006.

Matters relating to the Naval Service are for my colleague, the Minister for Defence.