David Norris (Independent)

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which addressed partially some of the issues but not all of them. I would like to pick up on a number of points. The Minister of State said he is advised the draft eel management plan relies on the most up to date scientific data but he did not say who advised him. I am suspicious of that advice because the figures on which he is relying are from 1960 to the mid-1990s, which means they are between ten and 20 years out of date. What happened in 2008 was that they collated the data. The collation is an intellectual exercise that does not directly relate to the health or otherwise of eel stocks at that historic period and therefore the fact that it happened in 2008 is not impressive. The data were assembled at a much earlier period than that and may well be out of date.

The Minister of State does not take into account the comparative situation in other European countries. Why are we the only country that is destroying the entire industry?

I welcome the mitigation of the impact of hydropower, the escapes and so on. That should be done in any event but the Minister of State's first point was on the closure of the fisheries. We are unique in Europe in doing that. The Minister said it will be 90 years before the stocks are completely rehabilitated, if every other European country co-operates.

The Minister spoke also about the examination of the stocks from 2012 but the people working in the industry will have moved on. He cannot expect people to sit on their oars for three years before coming back into full employment.

I am disappointed with regard to compensation. I know times are difficult but the action taken by the Minister of State's Department has destroyed an indigenous industry. The entire workforce has been thrown into unemployment and in those circumstances some degree of compensation for their livelihood, their stocks and their boats should be considered. He should at least suggest he is actively investigating alternative opportunities to assist them in diversification efforts.

My information might be slightly out of date. In my original communication I mentioned they said they had no meeting since 19 January. Perhaps the Minister of State has met with them since. If not, I hope he will meet with them again to provide an opportunity to resolve this difficult and human problem as well as one that is financial.