Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

Amendments are apparently appearing as I speak, some of which I am sure the Minister wishes to address.

Is there anything to stop us from moving towards adopting a real-time quota information system for our fleet? Would such a system put our fleet at a disadvantage in Irish waters in that our fleet would operate under certain rules but other fleets would not? Irish fishermen would rightly point out the unfairness of such an arrangement. Are there any such proposals in the pipeline for our fleet?

Having such information readily available could be an easier way to monitor developments instead of having a cat-and-mouse police state system. At the very least, the availability of such information could dispel friction between our sea fisheries officers and the fishing industry. Such an arrangement is preferable, even if it is not adopted by other countries, because it is consistent, cheaper and clever and requires less policing. This system has everything going for it. Will we adopt this system for our own fleet while we wait for other fleets to move in this direction?

In response to a parliamentary question I tabled yesterday on the issue, the Minister replied that he raised the issue with Commissioner Borg yesterday. What was the Commissioner's response in respect of this issue?

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