Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I wish the Minister and his officials the best in the Council negotiations in the middle of December. I am sure he will do his best for the country and the fishing industry.

Will the Minister consider helping small inshore island fisheries, given that the pelagic catch is small, sporadic and seasonal? These fishermen are always looking over their shoulders with regard to enforcement. It is a traditional fishery and probably the most sustainable, in terms of catch, effort and power. It should be maintained.

In the light of this year's successful figures for the tuna fishery, will the Minister consider fighting for an increased total allowable catch, TAC, for albacore tuna in the coming season? We have not had such a good tuna catch for some years and our TAC of tuna has gone down because of this. We were considerably more successful this year.

A sustainability policy requires enforcement in respect of our own and visiting fleets. Will the Minister make a statement on the introduction of electronic log books to underpin enforcement measures and the sustainability of our fisheries?

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