Tuesday, 27 Jan 2026

Written Answers Nos. 799-818

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Fishing Industry

Questions (803, 804, 812)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

803. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has assessed the impact on long-standing Irish vessels and crews in the razor clam fishery of alleged chronic overfishing, under-enforcement, and unfair competition from vessels using low-paid non-EU crews; the specific supports or structural measures he is considering to sustain indigenous operators in this fishery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6589/26]

Erin McGreehan

Question:

804. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the current management plan for the razor clam fishery on the north-east coast is being adhered to in practice; the total annual tonnage recommended by the Marine Institute for this fishery for each of the past five years; the total tonnage actually recorded as landed in each of those years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6599/26]

Erin McGreehan

Question:

812. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in light of reports from local fishermen of declining razor clam size and abundance between Dublin Bay and Carlingford Lough, if he will publish the most recent Marine Institute survey results for this fishery; the details of any advice to reduce total allowable removals; the emergency or precautionary measures he is considering to prevent stock collapse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6608/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 803, 804 and 812 together.

Ireland’s goals for sustainable fisheries, including inshore stocks such as razor clam, are supported by the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). The CFP provides the framework for the long-term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks, and is designed to ensure the viability of fishing throughout EU waters. The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland's Future - aligns with this by committing to a sustainable future for the Irish fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities.

There are a number of regulations in place to give legal effect to the current management measures for the sustainable fishing of razor clam, including:

• S.I. No. 160 of 2018: establishes a minimum conservation reference size of 125 mm for razor clams in the North Irish Sea,

• S.I. No. 588 of 2015: reduces the weekly landing limit for razor clam for vessels in the North Irish Sea to 600 kilograms from January 2016,

• S.I. No. 207 of 2015: limits razor clam fishing in the North Irish Sea to specific days of the week,

• S.I. No. 206 of 2015: regulates the razor clam fishery within internal waters or territorial seas, including weighing of landings, reporting of catch, and GPS monitoring of vessels.

These regulations were developed in consultation with inshore fishers and stakeholders through the National and Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums, which play a key role in protecting the future of the inshore sector. I actively engage with these forums on matters concerning inshore fisheries and will continue to do so.

The National Inshore Fisheries Forum have very recently submitted a proposal to my Department on the management of the razor clam fishery in the North Irish Sea, promoting the long-term sustainability of razor clam stocks. The proposal is currently under consideration by my Department, and should help to inform future management measures for this important fishery. The proposal will be further examined by my Department and its agencies at the upcoming Department and Agencies Inshore Group (formerly the Inshore Management Group) due to take place in Q1 2026.

Scientific assessments of razor clam stocks are conducted by the Marine Institute, the statutory body responsible for sea-fisheries research and advising on sustainable exploitation of marine resources. The Marine Institute has recommended total allowable catches (TACs) in recent years for razor clam fishing in the North Irish Sea, based on harvest rates and annual biomass estimates from research surveys. The following table outlines the Marine Institute’s TAC advice and corresponding landings data reported by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) over the past five years:*Landings data supplied by the SFPA is based on logsheets and sales notes.

Year (based on Razor Clam fishing season)	Marine Institute TAC advice	Landings (tonnes)*
July 2020 – May 2021	N/A	631
July 2021 – May 2022	N/A	636
July 2022 – May 2023	636	716
July 2023 – May 2024	763	680
July 2024 – May 2025	623	787

The Marine Institute regularly publishes the Shellfish Stocks and Fisheries Review in collaboration with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which provides insights into trends in the razor clam fishery and other non-quota species. The review for 2024 and previous years can be accessed online at [oar.marine.ie/], and the 2025 review is expected to be published in the coming months.

I can inform the Deputy that all sea-fishing boat licences include a condition requiring at least 50% of the crew to be nationals of EU Member States. The Register of Sea Fishing Boats is publicly accessible at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5907a-sea-fisheries-administration/.

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 matters concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.

Fishers and other persons are encouraged to report concerns to the SFPA, which is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with sea-fisheries legislation. Contact details for the SFPA are available on its website.

Question No. 804 answered with Question No. 803.

Departmental Data

Questions (805, 806, 809, 811)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

805. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of enforcement actions that have been taken by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) in each of the past five years in relation to breaches of the 600 kg-per-vessel, per-week limit in the razor clam fishery; the number of inspections carried out; the number of successful prosecutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6600/26]

Erin McGreehan

Question:

806. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to ensure accurate weighing, recording and traceability of razor clam landings, particularly where there may be broken, undersized or discarded product; if he is satisfied that there is no systemic under-declaration of catches at point of sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6601/26]

Erin McGreehan

Question:

809. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware of allegations that some vessels operating in the razor clam fishery are deploying vessel monitoring system (VMS) or GPS units on buoys or static locations while the vessel fishes in different areas, including potentially closed or restricted areas; whether the SFPA has investigated such practices; how many instances have been detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6605/26]

Erin McGreehan

Question:

811. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the SFPA has sufficient staff, sea-going capacity, and legal clarity to enforce fisheries rules effectively in inshore fisheries such as the razor clam fishery; whether any instruction or policy direction has been issued to the SFPA regarding prioritisation of “larger cases” over local inshore compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6607/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 805, 806, 809 and 811 together.

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 matters concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's queries to the SFPA for attention and direct reply.

Question No. 806 answered with Question No. 805.

Fishing Industry

Questions (807)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

807. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the use of Irish-registered companies as vehicles to acquire Irish-registered fishing vessels and licences on behalf of non-EU or non-EEA nationals; if any risk assessment or review has been carried out on whether this practice complies with EU and national rules on ownership and control of fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6602/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The legislation governing sea-fishing boat licensing is set out in section 4 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 (the “2003 Act”), (as inserted by section 97 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006).

Under section 4 (6) of this Act, the Licensing Authority when licensing a vessel for a body corporate, must be given the name, address, and nationality of the beneficial owner or owners of the shares in, or of the person or persons who control the body corporate when applying for the licence or when there is any change in ownership or control while the licence is in force.

The Licensing Authority does not grant a sea-fishing boat licence to a body corporate unless established under and subject to the law of a Member State and having its principle place of business in a Member State or a state belonging to the European Union.

Departmental Data

Questions (808)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

808. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the statutory requirement that at least 50% of crew on certain licensed fishing vessels must be EU/EEA nationals is monitored and enforced; the number of inspections carried out on crew composition in each of the past five years; the number of breaches identified; the number of sanctions imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6603/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

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 matters concerning sea fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. Under the Act, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters in relation to sea fisheries control.

I understand that it is a condition of a licence of all licensed and registered sea-fishing vessels that such vessels shall not be used for sea-fishing, whether within the exclusive fishery limits of the State or otherwise, unless at least 50 per cent of the members of the crew are nationals of any of the Member States of the European Union or a State belonging to the European Economic Area.

I am informed that the SFPA, as part of its inspection programme undertakes checks regarding adherence to licence conditions including crew composition.

In addition, I understand that the Marine Survey Office (a constituent part of the Department of Transport) oversees crewing from a safety perspective generally.

It is further understood that the Naval Service (which falls within the purview of the Minister for Defence) also undertakes crew composition inspections generally and informs the Workplace Relations Commission of the details of those inspections.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s query to the SFPA for attention and direct reply in so far as its responsibilities are in this matter (as summarised above).

Question No. 809 answered with Question No. 805.

Departmental Data

Questions (810)

Erin McGreehan

Question:

810. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the checks that are in place to ensure that no product is certified for export where it has been harvested from closed or restricted areas; whether any retrospective audits have identified certification of product taken from such areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6606/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has statutory responsibility for seafood safety controls and the enforcement of seafood safety law. The SFPA is also the competent authority for the export certification of Irish seafood.

I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority and have requested that they respond directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 811 answered with Question No. 805.

Question No. 812 answered with Question No. 803.

Renewable Energy Generation

Questions (813)

William Aird

Question:

813. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason only 25% of solar PV applications under TAMS 3 were approved in tranche 9, with the same rate proposed for tranche 10, despite strong farmer demand; the way this aligns with climate targets and commitments to support on-farm renewable energy; the way the current scoring system, including the use of derogation as a criterion, is justified when it disproportionately disadvantages dairy farmers with the greatest electricity demand and carbon-reduction potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6611/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Solar Capital Investment scheme (SCIS) is one of the measures in the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.

The number of applications and the level of funding provided to date under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme have well exceeded expectations, to the extent that more than 20% of the total TAMS budget is being spent on the SCIS alone.

On that basis, I decided, in the context of approving applications received in Tranche 9 of TAMS, to focus on approvals for core on-farm investments such as nutrient storage and farm safety, acknowledging the huge importance of continued investment in these measures.

The Ranking and Selection system under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme applies marks across a range of criteria, including the age of the applicant, the size of the holding, land in Area of Natural Constraints (ANC) and Nitrates status.

A negative mark does not apply for any type of farming enterprise in the scoring criteria for SCIS. Under the Nitrates criteria, a score of + 0.01 marks per Kg of nitrates per hectare is awarded, with a maximum of 1.7 marks available.

The SCIS is open to farmers of all enterprise types - of the 3,149 approvals issued to date, 55% of approvals have issued to dairy farmers. I will continue to review the system on a regular basis.

Tillage Sector

Questions (814)

William Aird

Question:

814. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the €30 million tillage support package announced for tillage farmers in Budget 2026 will be paid; whether payments will issue before planting commences in the coming weeks; the crops which will be eligible for payment under this support; if he acknowledges the urgency of delivering this funding given the severe cashflow difficulties currently facing tillage farms, due to the continued poor economic performance of the tillage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6612/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Tillage farmers are a critical part of the agri-food sector producing high quality animal feed, bedding and ingredients for the food and drink industry. Acknowledging the challenges facing the sector, I committed an additional €30 million in support to the sector in Budget 2026 bringing the total support this year to €50 million.

My Department is currently in ongoing consultation with stakeholder bodies in relation to the design and implementation of a Tillage Sustainability Support Payment to allow expenditure of this funding.

The finalised Terms and Conditions will then be subject to approval by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

Departmental Data

Questions (815)

William Aird

Question:

815. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether his Department has evaluated the OIE-approved, Irish-developed enferplex bovine TB antibody test for use in the national TB eradication programme; the reason it is not currently being deployed alongside SICCT and interferon-gamma tests to improve detection of mycobacterium bovis in suspect or hard-to-detect cases; whether trials, evaluations, or timelines are planned for its integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6613/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The approved official diagnostic tests for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) used in Ireland are the Single Intradermal Comparative Tuberculin Test (SICTT) and the interferon-gamma (IFN-) assay. Official tests are those tests listed in the Animal Health Law approved for national eradication programmes. The Enferplex bovine TB antibody test is not an official test.

A study has been conducted which explored whether there was any added diagnostic benefit from applying the Enferplex bTB test (an antibody test) in severe bTB herd breakdowns after the removal of cattle that had tested positive to the SICTT and the IFN- test.

In addition to the normal bTB testing and management protocols, the animals in these herds that tested negative to SICTT and the IFN- test were observed for a period of two years. All animals were tested by Enferplex at enrolment. The time to subsequent bTB detection (diagnosed with SICTT/IFN- tests or detection of visible lesions at routine slaughter) for animals that tested positive or negative to the Enferplex bTB test at the start of the study was compared using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox based survival models.

Of the 484 enrolled animals (from 11 herds), 171 (35.3%) and 151 (31.1%) initially tested positive in the Enferplex assay under the high sensitivity and high specificity interpretation settings respectively. The results of the survival analysis showed that there was no difference in the survival time to a positive diagnosis with bTB during the follow-up period between animals initially classified as positive and negative by the Enferplex test. This study was published in a peer reviewed scientific journal and is publicly available. We have concluded that the Enferplex test is not appropriate for current epidemiological conditions in Ireland.

We await with interest peer review publication of a UK study on the use of Enferplex as a bulk milk antibody test.

Fishing Industry

Questions (816)

William Aird

Question:

816. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the assessment which has been made of the employment supported by the inshore fishing sector, including onshore jobs in coastal communities; the way in which the Government plans to safeguard this employment in the context of climate change and economic pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6614/26]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) publishes an annual report 'The Business of Seafood' which considers the level of indirect employment supported by Ireland's commercial seafood sector. The most recent report estimated that 7,996 were directly employed in the sector in 2024, with a total of 16,874 directly or indirectly employed.

Based on responses to the National Seafood Survey, BIM has advised that fishing vessels less than 18 meters (in length) provide full time equivalent total employment of 1,078. BIM also advises that the upstream impact of the inshore sector on coastal economies and employment are not available at this level of aggregation, and can only be estimated.

The government recognises the contribution made by Ireland's commercial seafood sector to the sustainability of coastal economies. While the sector is no doubt facing challenges, equally there are potential opportunities for our seafood producers and processors to diversify into related activities.

As the Deputy know, I have announced the establishment of a group to consider and respond to the challenges facing the seafood sector. The group is being established under the framework of Ireland's Food Vision Strategy and I expect it will be in place in the coming weeks. I have announced Mr. Michael Berkery, former General Secretary of the Irish Farmer's Association, has been invited to act as the Independent chair for this group.

This group will consider the range of challenges and opportunities facing the sector as a whole, including those faced by inshore fishing sector, and the types of measures that will be possible to develop in order to support the environmental and economic sustainability and resilience of the sector.

BIM already provides a range of supports and services to the inshore fishing sector, including supports for inshore fishers to develop short-supply chains, which will allow fishers to better maximise the value of their landings. I would strongly encourage inshore fishers to engage with their local BIM Regional Development Officer who can support and advise them on the range of supports available to them.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (817)

William Aird

Question:

817. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the Government plans to respond to the proposed 20–24% reduction in Ireland’s CAP Post-2027 allocation; the engagement which is taking place at EU level to protect Ireland’s CAP budget; the reason the proposals do not include ring-fenced funding for young farmers; when the National Strategy for Generational Renewal required under Article 15 will be published; the concrete measures which will be implemented to increase support for farmers under 35 years, reconcile reduced funding with generational renewal objectives, and ensure meaningful growth in young farmer participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6615/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In discussing the funding of the Common Agricultural Policy, it should be born in mind that this funding forms part of a broader EU budget, or Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which is negotiated by Finance Ministers and then agreed by Heads of State. The Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are the lead Departments in this regard, in close consultation with Department of An Taoiseach.

That said, Ireland is firmly opposed to any reduction in CAP funding. The indicative allocation proposed for Ireland is not acceptable given the scale of the challenges facing farmers - including rising input costs, climate obligations and market uncertainty - and the need to sustain rural communities. I will continue to advocate for a strong and well-resourced CAP that underpins the sustainability and competitiveness of Irish agriculture.

In relation to young farmers, the proposals do include specific provisions requiring enhanced support for young farmers, which is funded from the CAP ring-fenced amount.

Regarding the National Strategy for Generational Renewal, this requirement would not apply until the new MFF is agreed and enters into force. However, my Department has already demonstrated strong commitment in this area, having recently published the Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming, which sets out a comprehensive national approach to supporting young farmers, and improving succession and land mobility. My Department is currently examining the proposed CAP Regulations to ensure that they will allow Ireland to deliver on the objectives and targets set out in that strategy.

Finally, regarding your question about the measures which will be implemented to support young farmers, we will continue to advocate for maximum flexibility in the next CAP framework so that we can implement concrete measures to increase participation of farmers under 35, support new entrants, and deliver meaningful generational renewal. Detailed national measures will be developed through Ireland’s future CAP planning process once the EU regulations are finalised.

Agriculture Supports

Questions (818)

William Aird

Question:

818. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the immediate actions his Department is taking to strengthen Ireland’s biosecurity and import-control regime in view of evidence of serious grass-weed contamination including blackgrass, brome and wild oats in imported straw and in cover-crop seed placed on the market; the action being taken to prevent further introduction of herbicide-resistant grass weeds that threaten domestic tillage production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6616/26]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am very aware of the threat posed to tillage farmers by herbicide resistant grass weeds such as blackgrass. My Department has been proactive on the issue of Blackgrass for many years.

Last year, I brought in new legislation to add blackgrass to the schedule of the Noxious Weed Act. This allows my Department to take action where individual farmers are allowing Blackgrass to proliferate or spread on their farms and, in doing so, put other growers at risk.

It is over 10 years since my Department agreed a Higher Voluntary Standard with the Irish Seed Industry for seed grown and certified here in Ireland. This higher voluntary standard has a zero tolerance for Blackgrass at all stages of the seed certification process.

In 2023, with the increasing interest in cover crops, a Higher Voluntary Standard for cover crops was also agreed with the Irish Seed Trade. This higher seed standard is based on imported seed lots being sampled and tested to globally recognised standards for the presence of Blackgrass, Sterile Brome and Wild Oats. Cover crop seed that meets this standard can be declared as Higher Voluntary Standard.

I fully understand the concerns on the importation of straw and the potential for it to contain herbicide-resistant weed seeds.

Within the EU there is free movement of straw, while the import of straw from outside the EU is not subject to phytosanitary checks under EU Plant Health Regulations. There is no legal basis therefore to prohibit the importation of straw.

As an industry, we can minimise the importation of straw by co-operating across sectors. I would urge farmers to carefully consider the risks associated with imported straw recognising the need to protect farms from herbicide-resistant weeds.

• Written Answers Nos. 779-798
• Written Answers Nos. 819-839