Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It might be sub judice, and I more than anyone appreciate that, but I am not prevented from commenting on this. This policy was brought forward in 2018 and 2019 for a very good reason, which was to have sustainable fishing, help local fishermen and reduce the unsustainable number of sprat that were being caught. Now, we have a good news story.

The Minister of State is admitting and has set out that the judgment by the Court of Appeal in July, which was more than eight months ago, was substantially in favour of the Government. Can someone tell me why there is continuous delay? Has the importance of this issue and the unsustainable continuation of the numbers of sprat being taken out of inshore waters not been pointed out to the courts? How come no case has been made? How come there was no stay? There was a stay for a little while and then it was taken.

The amount of sprat caught increased significantly between 2018, which was the year the Government was bringing in the policy, and 2019, right up to the present day. I do not have time to read out the figures. I will come back for my second round.

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