Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I understand exactly what the Deputy is suggesting. This is a hugely valuable fishery for the south-east, the south-west and the west coast, and a number of boats come also from the north west into the Celtic Sea.

There are a number of key issues on which I will ultimately need to make a judgment call following consultation and taking into account the views of the Celtic Sea herring management advisory committee but also views outside that committee, given there is not agreement across the board in this regard. Some of the issues relate to where fishermen can land their catch and whether there are restrictions in terms of the ports. As the Deputy knows, one cannot land Celtic Sea herring in certain ports but one can do so in others, which is an issue that needs to be reviewed and on which we need to make a decision. More importantly, we need to decide who gets priority in terms of access to the stock. Should it be people who have a historical track record of catching fish and who have been involved in rebuilding the stock by sustainable management, or people who have come in more recently and who can perhaps catch more efficiently because they are in bigger boats?

Ultimately, my only objective is to try to get the maximum benefit for the fishing industry from a growing stock of very valuable fish in a way that can sustain fishing communities to the maximum effect if the fish are caught efficiently and in a sustainable way. I will consult as widely as I can but, ultimately, given this is one of those issues on which it will be difficult to get agreement across the board, I will have to make a judgment call on it. However, that will be consistent with the process we agreed back in May.

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