Ms Sinéad McSherry:

I note the Deputy's views on the credibility of the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, but to update him I might add that what the Minister has succeeded in achieving is an evaluation of the policy. He feels there are matters within it that need to be addressed, which reflects some of the Deputy's commentary.

Another item the Minister has proposed relates to having a stronger economic link between the member states' fishing vessels and processors within the member states. That, again, is an initiative he would like to pursue.

On the Deputy's proposal, what I can speak to is what we have within the Commission. We have a full-time counsellor for fisheries within the Irish permanent representation. Any proposal to enhance Ireland's position is interesting but is not for me to comment on.