Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Almost three and a half years ago, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine made an announcement that vessels over 18 m would no longer be able to trawl within the six-mile limit. That followed a consultation period during which 900 submissions were received. All of the important State and non-governmental organisations were in agreement that trawling within six miles of the coast was unsustainable on every level - in terms of biodiversity, the destruction of sprat and sustainable fishing. Unfortunately, on one aspect the High Court found that the Government was wrong. That was in regard to the consultation process. Since then, this case has gone on and on. We have had an appeal, delays and no announcement from the Government. The important point is that it is totally unsustainable for vessels over 18 m to continue fishing unsustainably in different seasons, notwithstanding that we have declared a biodiversity crisis. Will the Minister update me?

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