John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Over the years figures from €30 million to €150 million have been used in describing the financial implications of banning drift netting. When I returned to the Department in October, it was still an issue. I believed it was time to examine the implications of adopting the scientific advice for 2006. There will be severe hardships on the netmen with a quota of 91,000. There are already severe hardships considering their quota was 250,000. In 2006, the scientific advice was used to base the TAC and it will have serious implications.

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and I put a proposal to Government for the appointment for a group of three learned men to examine the implications of financial hardship, compensatory measures and implications on coastal communities. It will report in early August with its recommendations. I have asked the group to examine all options, including voluntary and compulsory buy-outs, and the effects on fishing communities.

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