Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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7. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how he will ensure that active vessels of under 10 m will receive an adequate herring quota if a small quota is secured for the north west in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2293/16]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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The question relates to the potential share-out of the herring quota in the north west later this year. The Minister indicated it might be possible to finalise this in February.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can read my reply later but I will answer him directly because I would like to get a strong message across to this sector. I am conscious there is huge frustration in Donegal and in the north west generally about this fishery, which extends to the Aran Islands. There is frustration because the Celtic Sea fishery has been profitable and progressive in recent years with strong quotas and so on. We had a robust and difficult conversation about the north west fishery last month. The science has changed and the advice is that the basis for the setting of quota or, in the case of the north west herring fishery, the non-quota, for the past number of years, is flawed in terms of understanding the two herring stocks off the north of Scotland and the south of Ireland and how they interact with each other.

We have agreed with the Commission that we will determine what quota is allocated on the basis of a new estimate of our understanding of how the two stocks interact with each other and allowing time to produce a more accurate assessment. I have insisted that the southern stock will get at least 30% of whatever is allocated. Last year, the northern or Scottish quota was 20,000 tonnes and, therefore, it has gone from that to zero. We have stayed at zero but I hope we will have a figure in February. It will be much less than 20,000 tonnes but we will insist on a fair share of that. I promise the Deputy that when we do, the inshore fishing fleet will get a fair share of whatever we secure to ensure we have an inshore fishing option for small boats off the north west coast right down to the Aran Islands to catch herring. Everybody knows that I have made it clear to the big boys and the small boys that this is what I want to do. We will have a good news story for the inshore fishing fleet towards the end of February when we will have a number. I will make a commitment and even if I am gone from this office, I hope it will be followed up. This will be a new option for the inshore fleet in the north west. It needs new options and this is a great opportunity for something positive for the fishermen.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for this positive news. It should be a positive message for the inshore fishermen, particularly those with boats of less than 10 metres. It is difficult to explain to them why there is zero quota in the north west when herring is being caught off the pier on Arranmore Island. Last weekend, I spoke to a fisherman whose son caught herring off the slipway in Glencolmcille with a rod and a line. He did not know what they were. Anecdotally, it seems there is such a strong stock that herring can be caught off the pier.

That is good news and I hope the Minister will ensure it happens. The last time there were quotas in the north west only 5% was made available to the under 10 m segment. We need to see significantly more than that. There has been a lot of discussion in the past about active farmers, but we should look at active fishermen as well.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We are probably at one on this issue, which is good to hear. I would be careful, however, with using anecdotal evidence concerning stocks. Scientists are trying to understand these stocks, as well as how and where the north and south stocks interact with each other. We are taking a robust line on this because we feel we have been treated unfairly in the past. We think the scientists got it wrong and they have accepted that, so we will not allow it to happen again. Whatever quota is currently there, both for the north and south stocks, we will insist on getting a fair share. I have put a marker down that we will seek 30% of whatever is on offer. I have also told the industry that I want a viable portion of that for the inshore sector so that they can have an active fishery here.

We need to get the actual quota first, however, and then let us split what is there. I am hopeful that we would be able to see an inshore fishing fleet with perhaps up to 1,000 tonnes, which will allow many small boats to create some viable fishing options. Hopefully, we will know that by the end of February.