-----he could find out that information very easily. There is a very clear process in place on how appointments to boards happen. A person applies to the Public Appointments Service and he or she is then interviewed on their competencies. After that process, a final list is recommended to the Minister of the relevant Department-----

It is a standard process for all Departments. The Minister of the relevant Department is given the recommendations as to who the best and most appropriate people are for those roles.

It is a very clear and transparent process, which is in place for all board appointments. As a Deputy, he should know that very well.

I have outlined very clearly the process for how all board appointments are made, which was Deputy McNamara's question.

Does Deputy McNamara wish me to repeat what I said about the process?

If Deputy McNamara had taken the time to assess how a board appointment is made, he would know that posts are advertised, people apply to the Public Appointments Service for consideration and an expert panel interviews each applicant to decide on his or her competency and merits. A small list then goes to the Minister of those who are regarded as being highly and eminently qualified for a final decision. It is a very straightforward and transparent process across all Departments and State boards.

I very clearly answered the question. I clearly outlined how the process works.

If all Deputy McNamara is interested in is grandstanding, there is no point in engaging further.

Before I start today, I want to pay tribute and extend my sympathies to the family of the late Hugo Boyle, CEO of the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation, who passed away on Tuesday. He was a tremendous champion for the fishing sector and for fishermen. He was a man of integrity, dignity and accomplishment and a tremendous family man and professional. On behalf of the Department and everyone here in the Dáil, I extend my sympathy to his family, his wife Ellen, his children and wider family, and to his …

I thank the Deputy for his contribution. He outlined in a measured way how the overall agreement is a positive outcome in terms of the wider economy. However, as I have said, there is a significant impact on the fishing sector, albeit that impact is not what it might have been in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It was not what the British Government was looking for, nor was it what was sold to their fishermen in advance of the Brexit vote or since that. I have outlined clearly in my contribution the disproportionate…

I made clear in my contributions so far my absolute determination following on from the trade and co-operation agreement and the resulting unfair burden on our fishing quotas, which is more significant proportionately than that which other member states have to carry. We knew from the outset the grave danger our fishing sector was in and the grave danger a no-deal outcome presented to us given that one third of all our fish is caught in UK waters. If we had been blocked from those waters, the EU fleet, including ou…

I thank Deputies Sherlock and Mac Lochlainn. The Government is very much aware of the importance of the zero to 12-mile zone off Rockall for fishermen. Our position is resolute in that we have a strong tradition in that area. We will continue to hold that position. We are engaging diplomatically with the Scottish Government at present in trying to find a resolution to the issue that there has been in the past couple of weeks.

I thank Deputy Sherlock. The Government is clear in its commitment to stand ready to support the sector to address the impact that the sector has seen as a result of the outcome of the agreement, both in terms of representing our interests in Europe in trying to address the burden share as part of that but particularly in terms of trying to address the impact financially, both in terms of the sector and in terms of coastal communities. Part of that will be consideration, certainly in the short term, of a temporary …

The outcome of the agreement, which in total involves the transfer of 15% of our national quota between now and 2026, affects all vessels of all sizes. The species most affected are mackerel, prawns and other whitefish species such as haddock, monk and megrim. It will affect many vessels. The Government is fully cognisant of this and stands fully ready to support the sector, as well as to address all outcomes. In the short term, it will be about a temporary fleet tie-up scheme. We have examined all contingencies in…

I thank Deputy Matthews for his contribution and his insight into the issue of the future of our fishing sector. I certainly concur that there is a sustainable and healthy future for our fishing sector. We have to work on this, however. Obviously we have had Brexit hanging over us for the past four years and all of the damage that it could potentially do. While the worst impacts were certainly avoided, thankfully, there has been an impact which we have to work with the sector to adjust to and then help it to grow a…

I thank the Deputy for his contribution. I also want to acknowledge the tremendous work he has done and the engagement he has had with me in the run-up to Brexit, representing the interests of fishermen. Like my constituency, the fisheries sector is important to Cork South-West. In the run-up to Brexit, the Deputy took a constructive approach in championing and defending the sector to ensure the outcome from Brexit was as positive as possible. In recent days, we had engagement on the idea of a task force which I am…

Any option or idea will be fully explored. My objective as Minister is to ensure our sector is as strong as it possibly can be at European level and we have a strong quota for the various species. In particular, I want to address the outcome we have seen from Brexit. I am working closely with the sector on this and I will fully explore and take forward any idea and suggestion. Ultimately, our objective is to ensure fishermen have fish to catch while at the same time recognising they will have to be supported to add…

I thank Deputy Mac Lochlainn for his acknowledgement on the effort that we have gone to to try to accommodate this. I am the very first to accept it does not fully address it and that we cannot, unfortunately, go back to the situation that obtained beforehand and access the arrangements that were in place. Unfortunately, it is a result of what has happened with Brexit and the radical changes it has made to the relationship between Britain and Ireland and in terms of the UK fisheries policy and the Common Fisheries …

I thank the Deputy for her contribution and overview of the challenges. On the Deputy's final point on producer organisation status for smaller groups, I certainly will work with them in trying to facilitate them where appropriate. Recently, I met the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, which has made an application and represents approximately 40 vessels. I am working with it. It is important that we can facilitate producer organisations, as they are a very important way to ensure fishermen are represented…

Whatever the Deputy wishes.