Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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507. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to deal with allegations which have been brought to his attention in relation to massive quota over fishing and black fish been sold on a weekly basis with the knowledge and inaction of the SFPA. [20927/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is independent in the exercise of its functions and operational matters concerning sea fisheries control are a matter for the SFPA.

I have received letters over the recent past which have made allegations regarding illegal fishing activity. I asked my Department to forward the correspondence to an Garda Síochána who have been requested, given the seriousness of the allegations, to examine all matters set down in the correspondence, as appropriate, in conjunction with the SFPA. I also asked my Department to forward the correspondence to the Chair of the SFPA to work, as appropriate, in conjunction with an Garda Síochána on these matters. The correspondence has been sent on this basis to both an Garda Síochána and the Chair of the SFPA.