Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I have not, but I am open to looking at what we might seek legal advice on. I am mindful that the negotiations are between the EU and Norway.

Therefore, the EU acts on behalf of Ireland. We have input into it. A Minister in my position gets into those negotiations on behalf of the State. I am not so sure how I would deploy legal advice there because it ultimately comes down to a decision of the Council in which I am a participant. The only thing I do not have is the veto. Regarding looking at the legal advice, I think it would be more a case of how we might challenge the existing neighbourhood agreements or the trade agreements. Could this be considered in breach of those regulations of engagement on trade? I am mindful that when the Council agreement is reached, it is always done on the basis that it is known that Norway has set these unilateral quotas and there is tacit acceptance of it in the agreement being reached. So it would be harder to find where they are in breach. I am certainly open to getting a discussion on it.

I am also conscious that there is ongoing engagement on the future of the Common Fisheries Policy and the conditions set therein. There is a review under way that may ultimately lead to some changes to the CFP and that is where we might have the best chance within our own remit. I am conscious that when we change anything, somebody else will be discommoded or affected and they will assert their rights there.