Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

From the Minister's responses, he seems to place an awful lot of faith in negotiating with the producer organisations, POs. What is essential here is that whatever submissions are made or whatever talks go on, they must be all-inclusive. The Minister should enter negotiations with an open mind and should try to find an outcome that will have the safety aspects at its centre.

There are quite a number of vessels at sea that, in modern terms, are not seaworthy. I see people going out every week. If they lack in the tonnage or kilowatts necessary, it can be the difference between life and death. It is not about extra quota; I have been assured of that in our deliberations. It is about safety and having the ability to go to sea knowing that the vessel is safe and the lives of the crew are not being jeopardised.