Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During Leaders' Questions a few weeks ago, I raised the judgment given on 31 July, which set at naught the policy of the Government on trawlers over a certain length fishing in the six mile waters. The Taoiseach was to get back to me about that and nothing has happened. I do not know if the Government has appealed that decision. If it has not, what steps are being taken? As we speak, the trawlers are in Galway Bay, taking sprat. An important part of the policy was a transition phase for sprat to phase out the fishing over two years, because it is not sustainable to continue fishing sprat in the manner that these big trawlers are doing it. If the Government is going ahead with an appeal, what is the position regarding the policy where the Government introduced a certain tonnage over a two-year transition period? I do not expect the Taoiseach to have all the answers but it is an important issue and it is unsustainable. As we speak, the sprat are being removed in an unsustainable manner and we are in a vacuum with no Government policy.

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