Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not expect that this matter will be on the agenda at the December meetings. When will there be an opportunity to discuss it? It is appalling that those involved will ultimately be rewarded for their bad behaviour. I suspect that some of the Minister's colleagues on the Council will not be as appalled as us in respect of what happened. The Minister referred to some of the mercenaries involved. Some of his colleagues on the Council will be lobbied by the latter, which means that this matter is not clear cut. However, it is clear cut from our point of view. Some of the countries involved have TACs which allow them to fish in Irish waters. With the exception of fishing for boarfish and tuna, our pelagic fleet is generally tied up in port in the summer. Has consideration been given to a complete ban on pelagic fishing - with the exception of boarfish and tuna - during the summer months?