Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 157: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has responded to the concerns raised by a fishermen's association (details supplied) with regard to the by-laws in place to regulate activity in Inver bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14391/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In my response to Question No. 219 from Deputy Calleary on 2 February, 2012, I stated that, in my view, the loss of or damage to gear caused by trawlers operating in Inver Bay in breach of Fisheries Bye-Law No. 7 of 16 February 1857 is most effectively dealt with as a civil matter between the parties involved, as the Bye-Law is effectively unenforceable given the very low level of penalty involved. The Bye-Law is the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I also stated that the issue arising in Inver Bay is effectively a matter of access to inshore waters by larger fishing vessels, using particular types of fishing gear and if any changes to the current arrangements were to be considered, this would have to be examined on a national basis.