Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for their presentations. I have some specific questions, particularly for the SFPA. The Common Fisheries Policy has six- and 12-mile limits. What flexibility, if any, exists for member states within the six- and 12-mile limits to end variations? I have in mind specifically inshore fisheries and sustaining inshore fishing communities. The SFPA presentation referred to the benefits of differentiation of inshore seafood. What are the potential benefits and how should policy be developed to deliver that? What would that policy look like?

The presentation from Údarás na Gaeltachta referred to a requirement for a de minimis scheme for small-scale fishermen. Will the deputation expand on that?

The next question is for Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Some of the issues relating to seaweed, shellfish and aquaculture have been referred to already. How should policy be developed to assist and encourage inshore fishermen to diversify in these areas? What must be done to ensure that we specifically target people who want to move out of inshore fishing?

I have a general question on policy for coastal communities. What policies should we be considering to assist and incentivise fishermen in communities to diversify? It is important to ensure that people who wish to stay in fishing are assisted and that policy can be developed to ensure that can be done in a sustainable way. Everybody referred to tourism in their presentations and that is important, but a vital part of the tourism product is seeing traditional fishermen at work in coastal communities.

I will make a brief comment which is not really relevant to the work of the committee but it was raised in connection with the seabass fishery. Could the witnesses comment on the futility of Ireland's unilaterally introducing a ban when our own waters are fished by up to nine other countries? We will probably see that working itself out with the introduction of the quotas over the coming years.