Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will take the Deputy’s second point first. He talks a lot of hot air. He has no policy and no proposals. When he mentions young Muireann Kavanagh and the issue of the hook and line pollock fishery, the Deputy does not understand what he is talking about in terms of the wider policy environment. I have engaged with that young fisher lady - it is great to see her passion for it - but I have seen no proposals from the Deputy except that he is trying to exploit the situation. He and his party have come forward with nothing. I have seen nothing from them by way of proposals there. He may go over and back and issue press releases but it is vacuous. I look forward to seeing anything of substance from him on that and on the pollock fishery. As he knows, that fishery is closed on scientific advice to protect it and to allow it time to restock around Ireland, in the waters on the west coast of Britain and in all the waters to the north of France and Spain. It is closed for all pollock fishing, whether by hook and line or by net. We had about 550 tonnes of that last year and we have 70 tonnes this year as a by-catch. I look forward to anything of substance from the Deputy but I would not hold my breath.

The designation of ports for UK-registered vessels is something I have looked at very closely and continue to assess very closely in terms of genuine need. I have designated seven ports across Donegal to reflect the need that has been identified.

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