Mr. Micheál O'Mahony:

I will deal with the large-scale pelagic freezer trawlers. The questions reflect a lot of what was put to us.

Senator Mac Lochlainn, in particular, was looking for cast-iron assurances. In my own notes, I have the phrases, "double standards" and "opinion on a ban". This may be the starting point. In general terms, the presence of these vessels in the Irish EZ is generally legal. It is perfectly legal within the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy. I am not sure which words the Senator used. It might be perceived as an affront or something like that, but it is generally legal within the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy for them to be present, for a starting point.