Written answers

Wednesday, 28 April 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Fisheries Protection

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1140. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure the immediate publication of the European Commission 2018 audit and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority administrative enquiry that has led to the revocation of the derogation for the fishing industry to weigh fishery products following transport away from the place of landing; and his views on whether it is only fair to provide the evidence that justifies such a decision. [21446/21]

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1169. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will contact the European Commission and obtain its 2018 audit report carried out on the Irish fisheries; and if he will publish and distribute same to an organisation (details supplied) and the relevant fishers organisations. [22318/21]

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1170. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will contact the SFPA regarding the administration enquiry report on Irish fishers carried out by it; if he will request that it be made available to the relevant fishers organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22319/21]

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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1171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has seen the audit reports by the European Commission on Irish fishers and the administration report by the SFPA; if he contacted the Commission or the SFPA regarding these reports; if he will request a copy of these reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22320/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1140 and 1169 to 1171, inclusive, together.

Following on from a commission Audit in 2018, Ireland received a formal decision of the Commission's intention to conduct an administrative inquiry under Article 102(2) of the 2009 EU Fisheries Control Regulation to evaluate Ireland's capacity to apply the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The findings of the inquiry were communicated to Ireland in December 2020. Ireland has subsequently received a Commission Implementing Decision revoking the approval of the Irish control plan submitted for the weighing of fishery products in accordance with Article 61(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.

The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am aware that the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) have written to and also met with industry representatives  in relation to the revocation of the derogation in the control plan. It is the responsibility of the SFPA to set out new procedures in relation to this changed position. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as those referred to by the Deputy.

My officials have commenced a process of engagement with the EU Commission, in association with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority which is responsible for operational matters. In the context of this engagement, I am not in a position to comment on the EU Commission's findings and the package of measures that the Commissioner has set out. To do so at this juncture would be to prejudice Ireland’s position.

The engagement with the Commission will allow a full evaluation of the findings of the Inquiry and consideration of the actions that the Commission has identified. The EU Commission advised my Department previously that, under Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, no documents relating to the administrative enquiry could be made public.

Photo of Michael CollinsMichael Collins (Cork South West, Independent)
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1141. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the 46 recommendations made by a company (details supplied) into the review of the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency; the person or body that appointed the Steering and Oversight Group; the date such appointments were made; if they are reporting back to him directly or to the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency; the details of the creation of the post of director of transformation at the Agency; the justification for the rise in the budget of the Agency from €11 million in 2014 to € 24.8 million in 2020 which is a rise of 225% in just over six years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21541/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The SFPA commissioned an independent review of the Organisational Capability of the SFPA   in 2019 and this was completed by Price Waterhouse Coopers. A Steering Group comprised of three senior and expert persons, all independent of the SFPA, was put in place to oversee the review.

The principal objective of the review was to contribute to the ongoing and future development of the SFPA. The areas covered by the review are the organisational capabilities of the SFPA to deliver on its mission for the effective and fair regulation of the sea fishing and seafood sectors that fall within its mandate.

The Review was completed in April 2020 and made 46 recommendations which, when implemented, will address issues identified to improve the effectiveness of the organisation. An independent Advisory Board, nominated by my Department was put in place to assist the management of the SFPA in the implementation of the Report. This Board is purely advisory and does not have any executive role in the operations of the SFPA. A dedicated Director of Transformation was appointed to the SFPA in January 2021, with overall responsibility for managing the implementation of the review’s recommendations.

The responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations rests with the SFPA, which is an independent agency as set down in the 2006 Act. My role, as Minister, relates solely to corporate governance.

The 2021 budget allocation of €24.810m is to allow the SFPA to continue to meet its National and EU obligations as Ireland's competent Authority for the enforcement of Sea Fisheries and seafood safety law and to meet challenges arising from Brexit. This budget includes a provision of €5.808m under EU- funded programmes for IT and other developments which previsously had been provided for in the general Department's budget.

The additional funds have been allocated over recent years to strengthen the Authority. Staff numbers have increased from 104 in October 2017 to 150 in 2021. In addition, a programme of recruitment is planned for this year to provide for strengthened control and enforcement functions, including supporting the new requirements for seafood trade following the UK departure from the EU.

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