Mr. Michael Foley:

I spoke to Mr. Coveney at the time - actually, it was through letters and emails - and he said to me that the reason for it was to preserve the stocks. The Celtic Sea herring has since collapsed. I think the Minister, Mr. Coveney's policy needs to be readdressed because it did not do what it was meant to. I have letters at home where he stated that the reason he was giving it to this number of people was to protect that stock.