asked the Minister for the Marine the present position regarding fishing for plaice and cod in Irish fishing waters; the restrictions which he has introduced or plans to introduce; the reasons for these measures; and the plans he has to improve quotas for these fish catches.
Written Answers. - Cod and Plaice Fishing.
91.
There are no restrictions on fishing for cod in Irish waters at present. Ireland's quotas for this species in the current year total 11,520 tonnes and are sufficiently sizeable to make it highly unlikely that the possibility of imposing restrictions could arise.
As the Deputy may be aware, a prohibition on fishing for plaice by Irish vessels in ICES Divisions VIIb and g was introduced earlier this year when the quota was exhausted. I do not envisage any need to introduce further restrictions on fishing for plaice in 1988.
I will, of course, be pressing for the maximum quota for these and for all other species subject to limitation, when the annual quota negotiations take place in Brussels at the end of the year.