Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator referred to one of the representative bodies. As already stated, its representatives are continuously in and out of my office and I have never refused to meet them. I have been on trade missions and I am aware that there is an insatiable global demand for seafood products. Aquaculture is critical to meeting this demand. In fact, production from farmed fish, whether shellfish or finfish, rather than the wild-catch sector, is likely to be the majority source of meeting this major global demand. We are therefore very anxious that we maximise our potential in this sector, bearing in mind that one should ensure that one compares like with like when comparing production figures. We have a specific niche market operation, primarily on the finfish side, on organic status, and certified organic status product commands a premium relative to other production systems. I keep repeating this point, but my ambition - and the rationale for conducting the review - is to see how we might unleash the sector's potential. I have been open to meeting all stakeholders in this regard. As I said in the context of the licensing and the report, I asked that this element be prioritised. I make no apologies for that. Collaboration is the hallmark of the agrifood sector, including the fishing industry and the aquaculture side, and it is by working together that we will achieve the sector's potential. As my said, my door has always been open for this engagement.