Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests. I listened attentively to what they had to say. As Mr. Menarry said, these fishermen are businessmen. Very often, many of them take out a second mortgage on their house to buy their boats, which is very serious. We understand they have family commitments there as well.

On the six-mile limit, it was said there is a technicality on the Department side. Where is that at present? How can we progress it? According to the witnesses' report, BIM is not exactly a shining light, to be honest. It does not seem to be co-operating with them at all. I propose that the committee write to BIM to find out its position on the strategy and why it has not co-operated with inshore fishermen. I also propose that we invite the Minister before the committee to address the problems these people have. They have made three or four very straightforward points.

They have just told us that it needs just a change in policy, which can be done by the Minister. That is one thing they are saying. They also say there is 12% available to the sector, as regards the quota. Is that correct?