Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

After a few years, the situation changed again. Fishermen were encouraged at that time to fish for deep sea fish. They began fishing for deep sea fish but quotas were introduced at EU level so a contradictory state of affairs exists.

People are waiting for decisions on the salmon issue. I am disappointed that the Shannon Estuary's spokesman was not appointed to the National Salmon Commission, which had its first meeting recently. The estuary, which was represented in the past, was disappointed that its chosen candidate was not appointed to the commission and that the estuary was not recognised. Perhaps the Minister of State received many applications for very few positions. If the commission, under the leadership of Joey Murrin — a respected figure in marine circles — wishes to take action on this issue, it cannot put the matter on the long finger. It must come up with policy decisions in the near future. I will conclude because my time is up but I feel strongly that we need action and that the Minister of State should not procrastinate on this issue.