Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position with regard to alleged illegal fishing activity in Irish waters or ports; and the estimates his Department has made of block fish catches for the years 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 and 2001. [23201/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Where illegal fishing activity is detected by the Department or the Naval Service, the case is referred to the Attorney General's Office for consideration and appropriate action. Details of all landings known to the Department are reported to the EU Commission, as required by EU legislation.

In relation to wide ranging allegations brought to the attention of the Ministers in the summer of 2004 and subsequent wide ranging allegations, taking account of the matters raised and the potential seriousness of the allegations, the matters were formally referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation. Those investigations are solely a matter for An Garda Síochána and I have no role in these investigations. Any findings of illegal landings determined in such investigations and reported to the Department will, in accordance with legal advice, be reported to the EU Commission.