Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for his very comprehensive speech. I urge him to increase the polyvalent mackerel quota to perhaps 20% or 25%, if possible. I realise it is an uphill struggle. I also appeal to him to reconsider the decommissioning arrangement for smaller vessels.

I hope for a guarantee of sustainability in respect of the stocks we land. A substantial proportion, perhaps up to 70% or 80%, of our pelagic fish is being landed outside of Ireland. This is no good to our onshore factories. Some 80% of all the whitefish landed in Castletownbere is being lugged all the way to Spain in large refrigerated containers on articulated trucks. We should consider job creation in this regard. The Minister of State must consider replacing the section dealing with mackerel and polyvalent quota and create a new one, if possible.

I express my gratitude to my colleagues, Senators Twomey, Coffey, McCarthy, Bradford and Norris, for their kind words. My interest in fishing dates back many generations. My great-great-grandfather was a small fish merchant.

I am concerned about the certificate of compliance because it means many smaller vessels will be tied up. I am not entirely happy with the stringent approach adopted by the Department of Transport. It is mainly daytrippers who are involved and they are being asked to carry out work on their boats that would be more appropriate on vessels travelling from Ireland to Norway.