Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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412. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a meeting will be arranged in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20393/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have ongoing consultations with the four Producer Organisations (Irish Fish Producers’ Organisation, Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation Ltd, Irish South & East Fish Producer's Organisation, Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation), the recognised representative structure for the fishing industry on issues of importance to the fishing industry. I would advise individual vessel owners to work with POs or where appropriate the new structures for the inshore fisheries, the Regional Inshore Fisheries Forums, with a view to bringing forward a coherent approach to issues that arise and where possible recommend actions that have support across the sector. Of course, in relation to individual issues, my officials are available to meet operators.

In relation to the nephrops fishery, I will shortly commence a public consultation on a proposal from the POs to limit the number of cod-ends which can be used in fishing gear when targeting nephrops. This cap on the number of rigs to four will allow further investigations to be carried out into the impacts of multi rig systems on the nephrops fisheries. I will continue to work closely with the POs on issues arising within the nephrops fishery, which is the most important to the polyvalent fleet.