Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department has investigated recent allegations made by the Irish south and west fisherman's organisation that Irish vessels are discriminated against in favour of foreign vessels by marine authorities; if he has undertaken the consultation process with the fishing industry and the fishing community that was promised during the passage of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 through Dáil Éireann; the expected timeframe for the outcome of this consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33423/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The competent authority for fisheries control in Ireland is the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources through its control services. This work is carried out through close co-operation with the Irish Naval Service and Aer Corps. The Naval Service, from its base at Haulbowline, controls and monitors all fisheries activities within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone (EFZ). Sea-Fishery Protection Officers in my Department form the land-based control services for ports and other landing places.

All fishing vessels, whether Irish or foreign registered, operating within the Irish fisheries patrol area, are subject to checks by Irish control authorities, at sea or in Irish ports. Checks at sea include inspection of records and catch onboard to ensure the proper recording of catches in the EU logbook. The Department's land-based control services carry out regular checks of fishing vessels landing into Irish ports.

The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation (IS&WFO) have a general perception that the control authorities are unfairly targeting Irish vessels. The statistics do not support this view. The pattern of sightings versus boardings remains consistent over the past number of years and the Naval Service are extremely conscious of maintaining an even-handed approach to boarding and inspecting all vessels active in the Irish EFZ. Targeting of vessels is not a factor unless the Naval Service is tasked to a specific fishery of fishery control (e.g. Cod Closure box or Hake closed box).

The Naval Service has indicated that, so far in 2006, 758 Irish vessels and 829 non-Irish vessels have been boarded. This equates to a 47.7% Irish-52.3% non-Irish split. The individual country statistics indicate that the Naval Service boards 74% of all Irish vessels it encounters. This compares with an encountered vs. boarding figure of 79% for French vessels, 89% for Spanish vessels and 90% for UK vessels. It may also be seen by comparing to last year's figures that the percentage of Irish vessels boarded remains constant for a similar period this year.

The statistics clearly show that more than half of the boardings conducted by the Naval Service inspection vessels are of nationalities other than Irish.

I am satisfied that there is no basis for any assertion that the Irish control authorities discriminate against Irish vessels and in favour of foreign-registered vessels, nor indeed would the reverse be the case either.

Consultations with the industry take place on an ongoing basis at varying levels within my Department. A formal two-way high level consultation process also takes place through the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group comprising industry representatives and senior officials of my Department, which meets on a monthly basis approximately and which I also attend as often as possible.

I appointed an independent Seafood Strategy Review Group in June 2006 to devise a strategy for a sustainable and profitable Irish Seafood industry over the period 2007-2013. Regional meetings have taken place at a number of locations around the country for the purpose of consultation with key stakeholders. The strategy is to be completed at an early date and its findings will also feed into the new National Development Plan for the period 2007–2013.

I believe that this Strategy, along with the new National Development Plan, will provide for a sustainable and viable industry into the future.