Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes. On trying to get a strong outcome when it comes to the total fish that we can catch, there are an important couple of months coming up.

I take the point made by the Deputy about the challenges around fuel. We are seeing that across the wider society and it particularly has an impact on the fishing sector. The fishing sector differs from most other sectors of the economy in that there is no excise attached so there is no excise charged on marine fuel. There is VAT but that is reclaimable. No State taxes are collected. The price of fuel does have a direct impact on the wider market.

Recently I met representatives of the fishing industry. I have asked my team to conduct an assessment and review on fuel prices so that I can assess the situation. Over the last couple of years I have taken steps to address the cost of fuel by putting in place temporary tie-up schemes so that boats have more opportunities to catch more fish when they are fishing and, therefore, make it more profitable for them and help address the fuel challenges they faced last year and the year before.

Last year and the year before, regarding the inshore sector, we had a scheme in place that paid out €2,500 to boats under 10 m and €5,500 to boats under 18 m to help support them. I am conscious these supports existed and significantly were significantly put in place as a result of the pressure around fuel. I am assessing the situation now, Deputy Collins. I have asked my team to do a full assessment which I will consider very carefully in a very short timeframe in terms of existing challenges.