Mr. Gerard Kelly:

The term is "[as long as a person] is on board a sea-fishing boat owned and operated in Northern Ireland while the boat is within the area between 0 and 6 nautical miles". The Deputy must remember that a country builds its sovereignty from the inside out. In 1959, we created the 3-mile zone. In 1964, we created a 12-mile zone. If this Bill is implemented, boats will be allowed to finish within 6 miles of the shore but will have to stop fishing in the 6 to 12-mile zone before being allowed to fish again outside that. That is like putting security out on Molesworth Street and allowing anyone in through the Dáil gate. The provision is not even constructed properly. It is poor. Under this legislation, the 6 to 12-mile zone will be more protected than the 0 to 6-mile free for all. One protects everything from the inside out in terms of coastal waters. Proximity determines one's rights.