Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. It is good that we are meeting and that a review is taking place. I am sorry that, given the concerns and issues raised, the Minister is not present. I am sure he will vet what was said today, and it is very important that he does. As I see it, fishing in south-west Cork, Kerry, Dingle and the west is in trouble. From what we have heard, it seems that the quota has been divided and, sadly, the areas I mentioned are only getting 13% of the quota. It seems that in one area, 27 boats have to live off 13% of the quota, but in another 23 boats are living off 87%.

Every Deputy and public representative has to do his best to represent his own people. Fishermen in south-west Cork and Kerry are Irishmen as well and should be treated as such. A review is coming up and fishermen from the south west and Kerry are asking for 40% more, in return for which they will give back any whitefish quotas they have to be divvied up among those who want them. That is not an unreasonable request. The factory closed down in March and Norah Parke also said there were closures. We have to remember that self-employed people find it very hard to get social welfare, one of the things that is wrong with the social welfare system in our country.

Another serious matter to be contended with is Brexit. We are hearing that Britain has much of the waters around Ireland and will take them back. What will that mean for our poor fishermen here? Savage pressure will be put on by the Spaniards and other EU members who have savage equipment and can clean out the place in hours, resulting in our fishermen facing ruin and disaster. We have been talking about hard borders and soft borders but there will be no border here when this happens. England will definitely marshall her waters and what Ireland has left will be put under savage pressure.

The witnesses across the table from us are Irishmen as well. I am asking the Minister, who is not here but will read the Official Report, not to let down the people of Cork and Kerry who have nothing and have not been getting a fair share. That will have to change because they have families for which they have to put food on the table. They are entitled to live off our waters as much as anyone else. We are not discriminating against any people but asking for fair play.