Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Keatinge for his presentation. Up to now there has been no representation in this area, particularly in terms of the inshore fleet and the 12 m LOA applicable in that regard. Those involved were left to their own devices and, as correctly pointed out by Mr. Keatinge, were busy every day. There was, however, no representation. They were members of producer organisations, but the more powerful players within the industry would have had their say and control of the producer organisations. Through the inshore fisheries forum and the FLAGs there is now in place a structure through which many of these producers are supported.

While the consolidation of the fishing industry in the fishery harbour centres has worked very well for the centres, it has led to decline in other areas, particularly in many coastal villages and small towns such as Union Hall, Baltimore and Kinsale. Producers now have fend for themselves again. However, there are opportunities. This is not just about money. I acknowledge that the funding to support projects selected by the FLAGs could be greater, but money is not always the sole concern. Issues such as regulation and engagement with the agencies involved often present a problem. Reference was made to the Marine Survey Office. We regularly hear that boats of a particular specification leaving the United Kingdom with a particular load experience no problems, while similar boats leaving Ireland encounter huge problems. The reverse could be the case; we do not know. It is a difficult issue with which to grapple.

The multi-functional use of vessels was mentioned. Vessel use is a hugely untapped resource among inshore fishermen. Some 2,000 such boats could, for example, be used in the tourism sector, but getting the Department to license them is an impossible task. In fact, moves in this regard are in the opposite direction. There is also a difficulty in reclaiming VAT and carbon tax relief on small petrol engines. While big players can do this, small players cannot. These are tangible disadvantages which could be addressed by the FLAGs on behalf of small inshore fishermen, many of whom, in terms of funding, also have to deal with the SFPA, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, BIM, the Marine Survey Office, the European Commission, local authorities and Leader companies such as Comhar na nOileán. They then have to go out and do a day's work.

While I acknowledge that the amount of funding in this area is small and will not solve everything, I am not aware of funding having solved all of the problems in any particular area. I would prefer to see FLAGs coming up with proposals on how each of them could supplement their own industries and help them to grow in a more sustainable manner. This is the right structure to do it. The ground up approach needs to be supported. I agree that without additional funding many problems cannot be addressed. This is a relatively new initiative which deserves a chance and to be supported.

It is worth noting that EMFF funding for Ireland under this CFP is almost twice that provided in the last round. As such, the financial environment is improving. Coastal communities are not only supported through the FLAGs, they are also supported through the seafood programme of BIM, the infrastructure programmes of the local authorities and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Leader companies, Comhar na nOileán and so on. While there is a lot of funding available, the red tape and bureaucracy in this regard, in terms of the number of agencies with which people are required to deal, are crippling. A more supportive environment to allow small fishermen and their communities to diversify and grow is required. That is where I could see the FLAGs flourishing.

I welcome the proposal to split counties Cork and Kerry. While there is more that unites the two counties than separates them, in this case geography is a big player. The proposal must be supported, if only on geographical grounds.

I fully support the FLAGs initiative. The inshore fisheries forum which previously was a huge focus of the work of the committee and the sub-committee on fisheries will I hope give inshore fishermen a voice. That is a reasonably good start. I accept that funding is an issue. I have never heard anybody say at any committee that the funding available is acceptable. However, the agency has a very good template with which to work. It is not only small communities that are affected. In places such as Killibegs and Castletownbere up to 90% of economic activity is entirely dependent on sea fisheries. If anything happens with that industry, it will mean wipe-out for places such as Castletownbere, Killibegs, Dunmore East, Rossaveal, Howth and the other harbour centres. Equally, there are other issues to be dealt with. The FLAGs have a huge role to play in promoting projects and lobbying and dealing with the agencies involved. I often hear that fishermen just want to be left alone. I hope they will have a stronger voice under the FLAGs initiative.