The Minister for the Marine, Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher, has said that there is a cloud hanging over the fishing industry that needs to be cleared up as soon as possible.
It comes as gardaí investigate alleged illegal activity in the fishing industry.
Yesterday, 100 gardaí were involved in raids at fishing ports around the country.
A large amount of documentation and a number of computers were seized in raids in Killybegs in Co Donegal, Rossaveal in Co Galway, Dingle in Co Kerry and Courtmacsherry in Co Cork.
Afterwards, the man heading the investigation, Detective Superintendent John O'Mahony, said no arrests were planned at this stage.
Speaking on RTÉ radio this evening, Mr Gallagher said that the Government had ordered the investigation and, while he could not comment on it while it was underway, the present situation was that a cloud was hanging over the entire industry.
He said he hoped the investigation would be concluded speedily so that producers and processors in the industry could get back to doing what was most important - providing good jobs in coastal regions where there were no other employment opportunities.
