Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I thank all of the witnesses for their contributions and submissions. I will briefly go through each one. Mr. Percy's organisation Low Impact Fishers of Europe, LIFE, represents a large volume of fishing organisations across Europe and we are very grateful that he has appeared before the committee today. Mr. Percy outlined to the committee that the small-scale fishing sector, which his organisation represents, makes up approximately 42% of the fleet in Ireland, 77% of the fleet in the UK and 80% across the EU. I assume by this sector that Mr. Percy refers to boats of less than 12 m, when not using towed fishing gear, which is the provision as set out in this Bill.

An issue that has come up against us - and it is a legitimate criticism - is that the quota in Ireland is divided differently to how it is divided in other countries. In a lot of other countries the quota becomes almost a private entity and it is divided out as a product that is bought, sold and traded. In Ireland the quota is different in that it is owned in a communal way, by everybody, and that the nation owns it and divides it out as best it can equally among the various fishing organisations and the fishermen and fisherwomen themselves. What is Mr. Percy's view on how the quota is divided in Ireland compared with how it is done in other countries? Is there a huge difference when considering whose hands it ends up in?

I am interested in how the new Common Fisheries Policy has been more supportive in recent times. There are various aspects of it that suggest the small-scale fishing sector needs to get greater support.

On the CFP, how do the witnesses feel that is being achieved? That is an intention that is set out. Is that outcome being achieved? Is this Bill going in the direction of achieving it? In regard to the-----