Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his plans to relax the current quotas for Irish persons fishing in Irish waters; if he will re-examine the criminality issue pertaining to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11910/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and annual national quotas are established each year at the December EU Fisheries Council. The management of Ireland's fish quotas is determined at national level in close association with industry representatives. My Departments meet industry representatives on a monthly basis to review whitefish quota uptake and bring forward proposals for allocations to vessel owners on a monthly basis. The recommendations are generally robust and take account of the issues for the industry as a whole and, in most cases, I am able to adopt these recommendations. Pelagic quotas are allocated based on policy in place which is reviewed and amended as required in full consultation with industry.

The Programme for Government has committed to replacing the criminal sanctions system for minor fisheries offences with administrative sanction system to bring Ireland into line with other European jurisdictions.

I have requested the advice of the Attorney General on the implementation of the Government commitment. Any amendment to provide for such a system would be included in the planned amendment to the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006 which is required to provide for the EU obligation to implement a penalty points system for the masters of vessels in respect of serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy rules, in accordance with the provisions of EU Council Regulation 1224/2009.