Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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85. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a designation of a pier (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9025/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The issue of designation of Renard pier for landings of hake has been under discussion over the past months involving the SFPA which is responsible for operational issues concerning sea fisheries control, the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association and the operator concerned. I have now been advised by the SFPA that it can recommend that Renard Pier be designated for landings of Hake greater than 2 tonnes in accordance with the EU Control Regulation and the EU Hake Regulation. The SFPA is also recommending that due account be given to the necessity to complete the construction works at Renard to allow safe access to both fishing vessels and SFPA inspection personnel while monitoring to landings of Hake greater than 2 tonnes into Renard by European Union fishing vessels.

At present Renard Pier is under construction and a safety assessment will have to be made on completion of the works. I plan to designate Renard pier as early as possible after I have received confirmation that the construction work on the pier is completed and a safety assessment confirms that the pier allows safe access to both fishing vessels and SFPA inspection personnel.