Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries works in this area. The Minister has a report from national independent scientists going forward. What is the input of the actual sector itself in the negotiations and in terms of stock density? Does the sector have a direct input? There has always been a difference of opinion between the scientists and those at the coalface in the industry. Coming from that background, I will always argue that the people who have most interest in preserving stocks are those involved in the industry. I am aware there are certain cowboys in the industry but, in general, most people involved in the industry know that it is in their interest to protect the stock. I do not detect anything otherwise from the fishing industry.

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