Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Does anyone else wish to contribute? I am mindful that other members have yet to arrive, but do the witnesses have a response to the questions? It has been recommended that, under the Common Agricultural Policy, access and priority should be given to smaller communities. This important recommendation has come after the report was finalised.

In a way, there has been a meeting of minds and we should try to act on this. What we have put down is a wish list. However, when it is recommended in a Common Fisheries Policy, it is more than that. Whether through the forums around the country or through a directive from the Department, we need to get that sort of action plan into the mind set of those forums so that it can become a reality on the ground. Mr. Early referenced recommendation No. 10. Recommendations Nos. 11, 12, 13 and 14 are very relevant to the island communities in particular. Recommendation No. 15, on extending the 12 mile limit, may be something we should examine further, but that will take a lot of effort. The other recommendations are tailored to island and coastal communities and traditional inshore fishing. We must try to get a formula to develop an implementation group. A lot of work went into this report from our end. From a job satisfaction point of view, we do not want it to end up on a shelf. We want to see some action. This is why the delegates are here today, as an initial point of engagement.

We would be glad to hear the delegates' views on the questions asked.