Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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The Minister of State may regret saying that. I thank him for coming in. I have a few questions. In the sustainability impact assessment as it relates to biological assessment, it is stated that the short-term trend since 2021 gives rise to a growing concern. Will the Minister of State provide some rationale for that? Is it due to the fact that Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands are now fishing particular stocks? That is probably a question for the Marine Institute.

The Minister of State also stated that he is very concerned about the laissez-faire approach that was taken in allowing Norway and others to fish these stocks and that he will use every tool he can to deal with that. Has he received legal advice on the matter? Are there any legal tools the State can use in respect of Norway or, indeed, with regard to how the EU has managed this process? Has he looked at that matter?

My final question relates to the sustainability impact assessment. What I do not see is any acknowledgement of or risk assessment in respect of these cuts. If these cuts go through, which they will, there is always a domino effect on other aspects of the fisheries. Are there potential impacts on the inshore fisheries? If they cannot fish mackerel or other pelagic fish, what does that mean for the inshore fishery? We have had many discussions about how vulnerable the inshore fishery sector is and about how it is continually being squeezed. Is there a potential that this could squeeze the sector even further? What will the Minister of State do to prevent that?