Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will have to be in a position, certainly by the middle of next year, to sign off on a plan to introduce the discards ban or the obligation to land, whatever one wants to call it, by around June or July 2015. That is what we had to do for the pelagic side which is much more straightforward as the fisheries are not as mixed. There are some exceptions but in general mackerel is a pretty clean fishery, as is blue whiting, herring and so on. The first six months of next year will be a big challenge. I appeal to Opposition spokespersons and parties who know a bit about the industry to try to work with me on the issue because we have to implement it. If we cannot get agreement on it, the Commission will force us to implement it, resulting in all types of enforcement problems and conflict. If we can do this working with the industry, bringing them on board and supporting them with what one hopes will be generous packages through the fisheries fund, then we will have done a really good job in terms of the sustainability of the Irish fishing industry.