Ms Norah Parke:

Regarding what Deputies Martin Kenny and Martin Ferris said, we are arguing for the same but from different perspectives. I am very much against putting something in place that will not make any difference or improve the lot of people living on islands. That is my impression of the outcome of this Bill as it stands. One could create a quota for islands in excess of any fishing opportunities they have. If those islands have not got the infrastructure to translate that into sound economics, they will not be better off, however. What will the extra quota do? Why are the islands already not able to avail of existing quotas for mackerel, blue whiting and herring? It is because there is no infrastructure for the islands to do it. I see Deputy Martin Kenny shaking his head.