P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason trawlers are prohibited from landing hake and monkfish at Schull, County Cork; the steps he will take to correct this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24519/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The designation of ports for the landing of specific fish species is necessary to satisfy EU requirements and also for the purpose of appropriate control of landings. Ireland's list of designated ports is designed to be a balance between the needs of the Industry and the level of resources which must be made available by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority at each designated port to fulfil its responsibility under European and National law.

Union Hall and Castletownbere are designated ports for the purposes of landing Monkfish and Hake in the West Cork area. The requirement for whitefish vessels to land into designated ports only applies when the landings exceed a significant quantity for specified stocks. There is no restriction on whitefish vessels landing in non-designated ports if the quantities on board are below the threshold levels for the specified species.

I am therefore satisfied that there is a designated port within reasonable range of fishing vessels wishing to land in the vicinity. Furthermore, I am also satisfied that there are no circumstances where the Control Authorities would give precedence to their regulatory responsibilities over consideration for the safety of a fishing vessel or its crew.