Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes and when the retailers tried to bring in Dutch mussels, it simply did not work. Still, they are all operating as independents in this operation, which is important. The BIM officials will be addressing the question of extra supplies.

The BIM officials referred to the application in Galway Bay. They will be aware of the major reservations about that application. When we visited Scotland, the people involved in the fish farming industry there seemed rather surprised that BIM was thinking of something of that scale in waters as warm as those in Galway Bay. Will the officials confirm that they are still hell-bent on following the plan, despite the great reservations in the region, particularly in respect of wild salmon, and in view of the attitude of the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources? In other words, even official agencies are sceptical about this. It is all likely to wind up in the European courts if BIM secures permission. Will the BIM officials confirm whether they are still hell-bent on pursuing this project or whether there has been a rethink?

Since we are discussing licensing, has BIM had discussions with the Minister in respect of the fact that most of the fish farms around the country are operating on licences that are actually out of date? I know that they are legally entitled to continue until new licences are issued. Does BIM consider it satisfactory that existing fish farms are actually operating on licences that are only in place by grace and favour of the law? In other words, they are operating without a licence, but they have permission to do so until the new applications are granted. What discussions has BIM had with the Department on bringing a little order to this sector and ensuring those who are operating fish farms have current licences?

I am underwhelmed by the fisheries local action group schemes. It always seems to me that people think they can promote rural Ireland with a few million euro here and there. However, when it comes to urban Ireland, €300 million, €400 million or €1 billion does not seem to go very far. How much money is involved in FLAG schemes all around the coast? To be honest, it is not a major player on the ground and it has never seemed to me to be a major player. If BIM gives €500,000 to people, they are not going to turn it away, but I do not see it as a major player.

Two things are not mentioned in the BIM report. First, BIM administered a scheme to repair storm damage to pots for lobsters and shrimp last year. Will the BIM officials indicate how many people applied, how many were paid and how the scheme shook out? How many were caught by the fact that BIM required fishermen to have original proof of purchase of the lobster pots? This was proving very difficult in many cases. Will BIM give detailed numbers of the beneficiaries of the scheme? How much was paid out? What were the barriers in accessing the scheme?

BIM has grandiose plans, although it seems to be moving backwards rather than forwards in actual sales which have fallen from €822 million to €810 million.

It is important for all of us to realise there are two great factors in our lives. One is growing the economy in order that we can pay for the services people want. The other major factor is brought home to every Deputy who goes home every weekend, that is, the fact that we run the country for the people who live in it. Approximately 80% of boat owners have boats less than 10 m. The greatest number involved in fishing are actually small operators who live in coastal communities. The reality is they are trying to get from €5,000 to €7,000 and not to have the dole man come after them. They are not thinking about grandiose plans involving billions of euro. They are simply wondering how they can meet their bills next year and how they can hold their communities together. I see no mention in the document of what we are going to do for them.

I am particularly surprised that there is no reference in BIM's annual report to the work done by this committee on coastal communities in which we highlighted the specific issues faced by this major sector in terms of human beings trying to eke out a living from fishing and the sea. Seaweed is not mentioned either in it. I see no mention of whether it is Bord Iascaigh Mhara's intention to act on the strong cross-party recommendations which had the backing of every political party and none, in the form of Deputy Thomas Pringle, represented in the Oireachtas. Where are we in dealing with that issue? In this country we seem so hell-bent on the macroeconomy that we forget this is all about ordinary human beings who are trying to survive and make a little more. They are beset by more and more regulations. Even if BIM implements its plan, if we do not do anything about the small operators on the ground, nothing will change. Communities are being destroyed. I am disappointed, therefore, that there seems to be little in BIM's report that will do anything in line with the report put together by the Oireachtas. I am surprised that there was no reference in the statement made to the important work done by the joint Oireachtas committee over a long period, work which had all-party support.