Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Gallagher for his continued support. I have made it very clear to officials who negotiate on our behalf in advance of Council meetings that it cannot be business as usual. Today I instructed officials to vote against any access to blue whiting in European waters for Norway. I intend to maintain this position throughout. I accept we do not have a veto and that a blocking minority will be difficult. Notwithstanding this, we have to make it very clear, particularly as a country that will suffer most as a result of this overfishing and this unilateral allocation of quota, that we cannot allow a state that has robbed us of our breakfast, lunch and tea to expect we should hand it something in return. I do not believe this is acceptable or appropriate. We have to begin a process of a wider trade issue between the European Union and Norway in particular.

Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I have sought every opportunity to engage with all the stakeholders directly and I will continue to work with fishermen and women, processors, co-operatives and aquacultural operators to build a sustainable future for Ireland's fishing industry, which has shown itself to be resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges. I am also conscious it will require the wider support of the Government and to this extent, as I have said, I have spoken to a number of colleagues. It is my intention to prepare initially a memorandum of information for Government, which the Minister, Deputy Heydon, will forward and address at Cabinet level. I am looking forward to continued engagement here tomorrow as we have set aside three and a half hours to discuss this very issue. The Government remains committed to assisting the sector and recognises the significant threat and challenges we face.

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