Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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368. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority has raised any concerns regarding the effective monitoring and enforcement of super-trawlers whilst in Irish waters; if any discussions have been held between his Department and the SFPA in relation to same, including the provision of inspectors or observers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14432/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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369. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he or his Department have had any discussions regarding the effective monitoring and enforcement of super-trawlers whilst in Irish waters with EU counterparts, including the provision of inspectors or observers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14433/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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370. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will make a request to the EU Council regarding the establishment of a control observer scheme, as provided for under regulation, to enable the on-board monitoring of factory vessels whilst in Irish waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14434/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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371. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the process by which a fishing vessel may be inspected by a Sea Fisheries Protection officer; whether the SFPA can request the Naval Service for such an inspection to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14435/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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372. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of fishing vessels that have been undertaken by the Naval Service in each of the past 20 years; the number of those vessels that were factory boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14436/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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373. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fishery patrol days by the Naval Service in each of the past 20 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14437/23]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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376. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of factory vessels, including their size ranges that were recorded as being present in Irish waters in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373 and 376 together.

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 nature concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and the Naval Service. 

As Minister, I am precluded from getting involved in operational matters including in relation to law enforcement. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s queries to SFPA for attention and direct reply.