Mrs. Sharon McMahon:

The management agreement is ready to go. All we need is signatures, but it is not as simple as that. There are discussions in the background but for us. It is as simple as that. It would allow us to regulate the unregulated oysters in the Foyle.

I am only in the agency four years and the discussions have been ongoing since 2007. We gave evidence to the Northern Ireland Affairs Select Committee on fisheries. It had asked that the issue be looked at and progressed within the next six months and that the agency be given the resources to implement the management agreement. However, I am aware that discussions are taking place with both the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, DAERA, and the Departmental Solicitor's Office, DSO, in the North. That is all we have heard. We have not been updated as to where it is, so to speak, east-west.