Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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978. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that the recently agreed European Union Control Plan for fish landings in piers and harbours across the State is published in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8254/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 all operational issues of this mature are exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. I am expressly excluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this.

The EU Commission has approved a revised Control Plan in late December which will be applicable until end April 2022.   The Plan will be formally adopted by way of a Commission Implementing Decision, the publication of which is expected in the short term.  I am advised by the SFPA that the Plan be published following the publication of such a Commission Implementing Decision. 

I therefore suggest that the Deputy contact the SFPA directly following the publication of this Decision.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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979. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider opening a public consultation on the distribution and allocation of the mackerel and herring quota in this State. [8255/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, in Ireland, fishing quota, including pelagic stocks such as Mackerel and Herring, is a public resource and is managed to provide for proper management and conservation and rational exploitation of the State’s fishing quotas. The arrangements have been set and developed over many years since the commencement of the Common Fisheries Policy and the introduction of quotas.

In order to consider any review of mackerel or herring policy, I must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review.  If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of the mackerel or herring policy, it will require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.   At this time, I am not of the view that there is a sufficiently strong case for a review of these policies.