Mr. Paschal Hayes:

I would not say that. I acknowledge that at least one of the suggestions that came forward from the sector in regard to trialling the first option, as I outlined, which relates to using the pier-side weighing device, recording the weights on the device if desired and photographing it, was a useful option from the point of view of the sector and from our point of view in order that we could see exactly what was happening. I would certainly be interested in reviving that.

At a meeting on 16 March, we asked the sector to come forward with any proposals and no proposals have yet arisen from that. We are not sure at this stage whether, as some committee members suggested, there is a willingness to transfer the ownership. If that is the case, to whom will it transfer and will it be adequate to meet the conditions of the control plan? There are areas we can explore, but if there were an easy solution to this, we would have found it.