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

Volume is important for those who work in the factories in Killybegs and depend on it for an income. If the loss of the 15,000 tonnes and the indirect costs associated with that are included, the figure is significantly higher than €78 million.

The Minister said in his presentation that he agrees with the submissions from the industry on the misapplication of scientific advice. What can the Minister do about that at the Council? I presume it can just be used as a negotiation tactic. The Minister also mentioned the €32.5 million he secured for data collection in the new CFP and that the Marine Institute will use this to improve the data collection. How will that feed into future negotiations? If data collection is improved, is it agreed by the Commission that this will be accepted as reliable data if it is collected unilaterally by us? What other co-operation will there be with other member states in relation to our waters in terms of collecting that data and using that information?

The Minister also says that there has been a question about how legally binding the regional discard plans will be. This will probably have more impact in 2016 than 2015. He says he hopes to have it resolved in terms of the regulation by the Commission. How soon will that be resolved? If it is not resolved, does he see this as something that Ireland would implement unilaterally? That would be a retrograde step if the Commission cannot make it legally binding.

On the direct and indirect calculation of the loss of earnings, the figure of €78 million represents well over 10% of the total exports in the fishing sector. It is a significant impact. If the farming industry saw a reduction of over 10% in total value to them next year, this room would be packed to the rafters with members and media and there would be demonstrations outside the gate. What does the Minister plan to do over the next year for fishing communities to put in place measures to help those who will lose their jobs if this is implemented in full?

Will BIM provide an economic and social impact assessment based on the outcome of the negotiations on 16 December? That would be vitally important in informing people who depend on the fishing sector about the impact.