Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of banning pair trawling inside the six-mile zone (details supplied). [4494/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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In 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 metres trawling in inshore waters, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines, was announced. This measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings resulting in the measure being overturned in 2023.

In 2024, over a period of eight weeks, the Minister held a new public consultation on a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. The consultation took place without prejudice.

The purpose of this consultation was to invite stakeholders and interested parties to advise of their views on any changes to policy within the scope of this review. A large volume of submissions - over 5,500 - were received. These submissions will be considered in the review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. All relevant issues will be carefully considered before a decision can be made.