Minister denies ignoring evidence ahead of fishing talks

FISHERIES Minister Sean Connick has denied Ireland ignores the scientific evidence in favour of increasing fish stocks available to the Irish fleet.

But he said that he had a narrow line to tread between preserving stocks for the future and ensuring that the country’s fishing industry survives.

Environmental organisations have accused the Government of ganging up against the European Commission’s proposals that would see the cod quota halved and serious cuts in other species on which Irish fishermen depend.