An EU report has warned of "risks" to "consumer health" over the handling and sale of fishery products and shellfish in Ireland.
The report, which was compiled by the European Commission's Food and Veterinary Office (FVO), noted that EU law was not being fully implemented, due to an "inadequate number of specialised/qualified staff in public health/food safety".
The report noted deficiencies had first been recorded six years ago and that no significant improvements had been made by an inspection last July.
Among the issues raised were a lack of adequate official controls on all fishing vessels; a lack of adequate inspections and checks on all registered wholesale markets, auctions and landing sites; a lack of accreditation for all laboratories testing products, and a shortage of qualified staff.
The work of the current sea fisheries officer included "implementing, enforcing and advising too many different aspects of the EU and national regulations", it said.
The report's findings were highlighted yesterday by a Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, who accused the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, of failing to protect consumers while promising major investments in the fishing industry.
She also accused his Department of acting irresponsibly, in spite of repeated warnings about deficiencies dating back to 1995.
A spokesman for Mr Fahey rejected this claim and accused Ms McKenna of focusing on the most negative points raised by the FVO inspection. The Green MEP had made no reference to the positive comments on the monitoring of potential biotoxins occasionally present in shellfish produced in Ireland, the spokesman said.
Before the EU inspection, many of the issues which were highlighted had been identified, the spokesman said. This resulted in the recruitment of extra enforcement officers, he added.