Mr. John Lynch:

As I mentioned, the first ask is that the bycatch TACs be maintained. That is essential to keep other fisheries open. Our next ask would be that all the Hague preferences be invoked, including one that we have paid particular attention to over the last few years, which is the Hague preference for sole in areas 7f and 7g. Ireland has never invoked this Hague preference and any time we have tried to invoke that Hague preference, we have failed for one reason or another. We have to invoke that this year because that sole quota is declining. Ireland's access to that small share, 3% of the TAC, will only be 27 tonnes for 2026. With a Hague preference, we would have 111 tonnes, so the Hague preference is important for that stock and it has to be invoked with all the other Hague preferences.