Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. What I see here is another example, if one were needed, of what can only be described at the supervised decline of our fishing industry. Yesterday, we discussed the decommissioning of vessels in order that the number will align with our estimated fish stocks. The latter is another cut to our fishing fleet. Where will it stop, particularly if we just keep coming back with this decommissioning? Now we are looking at a report which confirms that there is likely to be income reduction of €11.8 million for the fishing sector.

What that means in real terms, according to this report, is the loss of 248 jobs, most of them in Donegal. The report we discussed in, I believe, November of last year referred to the loss of 409 jobs. Now we are talking about reducing the fishing fleet. Will this restrict the potential for future growth?

We heard yesterday that the Department is opposed to banking some of the fishing capacity to be decommissioned. If that is the case, will the Minister tell the committee why? If some of it were banked, we would have something available for young fishers in the future. What is the Minister’s message to these young people in these areas? Does he have any future plans for them on the seas or is the industry to be downsized to such an extent that it will not attract any newcomers in the years ahead?

We also heard about how people in the fishing industry have become disillusioned with what has been forced on them or, rather, taken away from them, as I said, with one third of the fleet being decommissioned. They feel as if they have been left with no choice other than to get out. At the same time, they do not want to go bankrupt. Will the Department investigate a way to deal with the requirements to pay temporary cessation aid in the event that a vessel owner chooses to apply for voluntary permanent cessation?