Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their clear presentations and for giving of their time. I also thank them for their advocacy with the previous Oireachtas committee on getting the Bill to this stage and for driving this legislation forward. They heard the presentations given during the previous session. A number of those witnesses indicated opposition to the Bill on the basis that they felt it was unfair to inshore fishermen who were mainland-based rather than island-based. I put it to them that the particular difficulties facing the islands underpinned the rationale behind this legislation. In responding, the witnesses before us should take the opportunity to outline their view on what was put forward at our earlier session and how this legislation differentiates between island fishermen and inshore fishermen who are mainland-based.

Dr. Brennan's presentation was insightful. She has spent a great deal of time working on the issue. Her comparison between her research in Scotland and Arranmore and her comments on the non-academic heritage of those islands, which does not always necessarily come through in policy, provided us with good insights. Her point about her support for the Bill in that context was interesting.

If this legislation is passed, how do the witnesses believe it will impact on the islands, for example, in terms of employment, and how will it be applied at a practical level? I would also be interested to hear their responses to Deputy Kenny's questions about the uptake in current fishing opportunities. One of our previous witnesses indicated that only 50% to 60% of the quota on line fishing for mackerel was used annually. What is the rationale for that?