Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
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]
Amharc ar fhreagra806. 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]
Amharc ar fhreagra809. 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]
Amharc ar fhreagra811. 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]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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.
