Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

Following on from my question two weeks ago in the Dáil about Ireland retaining our fishing rights off Rockall, in recent years the population of bluefin tuna has significantly increased. Denmark and Norway have successfully applied to the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, ICCAT, and received quotas, while the Japanese fleet is fishing along the 200-mile international limit to freeze bluefin tuna for its market. This raises concerns about its carbon footprint and unlicensed fishing practices. While I know Ireland has requested the opening of discussions at EU level to advance our case for bluefin tuna quota, we also know that other member states are resistant to any discussion on amending relative stability for this stock. What action is our new Minister for the marine taking as regards the securing of bluefin tuna quota for Ireland? Additionally, when can we expect to receive our quota, given the abundance of this fish in Irish waters?

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