John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

It will make a recommendation that will be considered by the Department and will then go to the Government. If a financial recommendation is made, which I expect will happen, it will have to be approved by the Government.

The establishment of the group by the Government means there is an expectation of some monetary compensation. The most recent figure I have been informed of is €30 million. I have not told the independent group of this. Padraic White was involved with the scallop industry. John Malone was involved in drawing up compensatory packages in the farming sector. We should allow the fishing for this year with the TAC of 91,000. By early August we will have the report of the independent group and we can then make strong decisions on 2007.

See this speech in context