Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would not want the impression to be given that I have not stepped this out in a prompt fashion. I have done so and am very committed to it. It was not possible for me to take any action until I got the final ruling from the High Court, which was delivered in the second half of last year. It had been in the court system from 2018 until then.

I now want to continue as promptly as I can to get to a conclusion but, given the history of the issue, the Deputy will understand that I want to make sure the outcome stands up to all scrutiny, is absolutely sound and holds whenever it is actually concluded. As the Deputy will know, there were issues with legal challenges but this decision was taken back in 2018. I am very committed to it. I am committed to the sustainability of the inshore sector and to supporting that sector. As the Deputy will know, I recently announced a €5,000 support payment for inshore fishers given the very difficult economic circumstances they faced this year. Of course, their economic well-being going forward is entirely dependent on sustainable stocks of fish and on fishing them sustainably. That is very much going to inform this consideration too.

See this speech in context