Tim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister and acknowledge the contribution he has made. I thank him for his comprehensive opening statement. I wish to ask, in particular, about Norway and Faroe Islands. Evidence was given to the committee yesterday, and we have also read in the newspapers, regarding the level of overfishing involving Norway and the Faroe Islands. Some 55% of the mackerel quota is being overfished. Realistically, we are looking at something like 100,000 tonnes of mackerel being overfished. That is a significant figure which will have a huge impact on the entire fishing quota going forward unless we get a handle on the matter. Does the Minister believe that sanctions need to be imposed on the Faroe Islands and Norway in particular? What are the timelines regarding those issues? When will the Commission step in, adopt a hard line and take into consideration the vast amount of mackerel that has been overfished? We need reassurance that the Commission will do something regarding this issue. This is a massive issue, particularly when one takes into consideration the long-term effect the vast amount of overfishing being done by these two nations is taken into consideration. Will the Minister comment on it?