Businesses in Castletownbere, Co Cork, the State's largest white fish port, are considering seeking financial compensation from the Department of the Marine following the recent fisheries blockade at the port.
It is understood that at least two small businesses have so far taken legal advice on the matter of claiming compensation from the Department.
The blockade against Spanish and French boats by local fishermen was lifted "temporarily" on Monday. However, it could be reimposed pending the outcome of talks on the "Irish Box".
A number of businesses in Castletownbere claim to have been affected by the blockade.
As well as three agencies which deal with the 20 Spanish fishing boats which land at the port each weekend, and the fish-processing plant Eiranova, one haulage company has been effectively out of work for almost six weeks.
Supermarkets, bars and taxi companies in the town also say that their business has been adversely affected.
"We keep all business local. Food, taxis, trucking companies, sleeping bags and so on ordered by the boats, hotel overnights. These are all kept local," said Ms Mary Lotty, a director of Monamar Ltd, one of the shipping agents which handles Spanish boats.
The vast majority of the vessels which land their catches in Castletownbere are Irish. However, the Spanish boats bring in that little bit extra for the local economy, Ms Lotty said. "It is not always understood that keeping the Spaniards out is a two-way street. A wide range of local businesses, not just us, suffer," she added.
Typically, Spanish fishing boats manned by 15 crew members land in Castletownbere each weekend. They fax in their orders beforehand. Public houses do a brisk business after the offloading, which takes place from Thursday to Monday.
Boats which have been turned away from Castletownbere have taken their business elsewhere, including to Dingle and Fenit.
Ms Monica Lynch, who is also a director of Monamar Ltd, has welcomed the lifting of the blockade. "We hope they [the Spanish vessels\] will return," she said.
A spokesman for the Department of the Marine said that it would not be commenting on any possible legal action for compensation.