Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Cahill mentioned pair trawling was mentioned. I have addressed the issue a number of times and he was present for that.

Ireland does not have a quota for bluefin tuna because for historical reasons, we did not have the species in our waters. A number of people mentioned the issue when we met the Commissioner. Interestingly, it seems to have stuck in his mind because he mentioned it again when we met earlier this week that perhaps because of climate change - certainly the migratory patterns of fish stock and species are changing - waters are warming, which has a negative impact too but it does see species coming into our waters. Like previous Ministers, I certainly will not be found wanting in fighting for a share of the quota. As Deputy Gallagher has identified, for us to gain quota then somebody has to lose. Even when species move away from waters and where there are countries that do not fish their entire quota, they are very slow to give up their quota. I do not want to underestimate the challenge that we will face in that regard but I assure members that we will do everything possible to push for that. Having the Commissioner on side will not be enough because the decision must be made by member states when discussing various negotiation agreements.

On aquaculture licences, I mentioned that aquaculture is an opportunity but it will only be one if we can bring some semblance of hastiness to the issuance of licences. Where we have situations in which licences have to be renewed after ten years, many of them are allowed to still operate while their licence is under review under an existing provision. They have gone to 15 and 16 years so for another ten there are only four years left in that. I want to do a piece of work on this and I will come back to the committee in due course with it. From my perspective, the system does not work at the minute. Department officials and I have discussed this already. I am conscious of it because the people who are involved in aquaculture regularly raise this issue. I think what we would ultimately like, if we can get the processing right, is for us to have the ability to issue a 20-year licence. I say that guardedly because I have not advanced all of the aspects involved. I think we must give certainty to the people and businesses who are investing in this area. If we, as a State, believe in what they are producing - and we do - then we must be of assistance in terms of delivery. I have no doubt but that the initiative will be challenged. Like any licence, where people believe a certain practice runs contrary to what they would like then of course there it will be challenged in the courts. None of this is for the want of effort; it is just how we put in place the regulatory and legal framework, as well as primary legislation if necessary, to give certainly to those who will take decisions at a later stage.