Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Discussions regarding the future of fisheries are ongoing in Brussels. The review of the Common Fisheries Policy will be regarded, if it goes wrong, as a doomsday scenario for the fishing industry. I am concerned about the retention of the Irish Box, the justifications for which have been well expounded. Various discussions are ongoing between the Spanish and Irish fisheries Ministers with regard to a phased reduction of the Irish Box. If the Government has received legal advice to the effect – and if it has never been published, I can understand why – that we have a legitimate claim to the current status quo in the Irish Box, it would be tantamount to disaster to concede on this vital aspect in the fisheries discussions which are taking place.