Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want to comment on other politicians. I do not even want to comment on what the industry thinks of me because people will make their own decision on that. All I can work on is the challenge we face and how, collectively, we can try to address it. I am conscious that in my desire to get the best outcome from, and on behalf of, the Irish fishing industry, we face very significant challenges. There are tools that could be deployed that would help to bring Norway, in particular, to heel. I have observed the statements that have been made by representatives of the industry who believe that if mackerel or blue whiting that has been taken from Irish waters or overfished ultimately finds its way into fishmeal and returns to the European Union in farmed salmon from Norway, it is hard to square that circle. I certainly accept that. Trying to address it is a challenge that I am up for but it will take a broader European perspective in terms of how we might challenge that trade or bring it to heel. I am prepared to work with others on that.