Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy knows exactly how quotas are allocated. He and others would advocate having a track record system in certain instances when it suited our fleet. One example is the European Union's boarfish quota, of which Ireland has 85% because a track record system is used. Having a track record or not can work for or against a fleet, but the bottom line is that once decisions are made - they were made long before I came along - reversing and changing them is very difficult because for one person to gain somebody else has to lose. We are very protective of our boarfish quota and do not want to give any of it away. Even though the United Kingdom, for example, wants more, we say "No" because of the deal reached. I agree with the Deputy. I would love us to have access to a bluefin tuna quota, even a small amount, in order that we could create a sport tourism fisheries proposition which could prove very viable. I will examine the issue and speak to the Commissioner about it. He understands the position on the catching of tuna very well, given the fact that he comes from Malta. I give the Deputy a commitment that I will explore the opportunities available, but it will not be easy for us to say the European Union has to give us a quota, given the fact that there was a basis for the decision made and that bluefin tuna stocks are about the most sensitive in the Atlantic. They are also managed differently from other stocks because of the ICCAT. They are not discussed and negotiated in the normal way other quotas are in December. To be fair, the Deputy probably knows this.

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