Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

That is an important feature and one I am examining but there is a difficulty. I thank the Senator for raising the matter. An allocation can be made as set out in Article 17, to which the Senator referred, but a decision taken in 2017 by the then Minister to change the policy on allocation following a review was challenged in the courts. I understand it is still in the courts under judicial review. The case was taken against the then Minister and the baton has been passed on to me. The matter is tied up in the courts. I would have to check the specific elements of the allocation. Until the process reaches a conclusion or the judicial review is withdrawn, I will not be in a position to set out a further policy statement on the reallocation of what are principally the same stocks. While there is provision for what has been suggested and it makes sense, and while I really would like to do it, I am prevented from doing so. There have been some public discussions on the potential for some species quota allocations in a deal with Iceland. If this were to progress at European level, it could potentially provide an amount of quota within the zone. Some reallocation in that sense would be helpful because I know the benefits that would accrue; however, if the Department is caught legally, it prevents me from generating, based on what I believe might be the right thing to do, a further attempt to reallocate. It is a matter I am conscious of. I know what I would like to do but there is an impediment at the minute. Let us see whether we can get around that in due course. If the court situation comes to a conclusion, it might be helpful.

I believe I have covered most of the points in general, but maybe not all of them, but I am sure the Senators will have an opportunity to revert to me. I thank them again for their engagement.