The allocation of resources is of huge importance in the context of the CFP reforms. The criteria for the allocation of quotas are fundamentally flawed, in that they do not take into account the marginalised state of the fishing industry in terms of infrastructure. The Hague preferences were critical in this regard, in that they provided for additional allocations in certain quotas. It is imperative that they are maintained. Similarly, I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, and the Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to seek to build alliances with our EU partners to ensure future quota allocations reflect Ireland's proximity to stock resources, take cognisance of the socio-economic dependency of certain areas on those resources and, most importantly, respect the needs of the communities on the basis of relative potential rather than historic activity levels. Furthermore, it is crucial that Ireland is allowed to maintain the size of its fishing fleet. The proposal that there should be cuts of up to 40% in the whitefish fleet is unacceptable. I appeal to the Minister of State to ensure everything is done to maintain the size of the fleet.