Mr. John D. Sullivan:

No, I do not think so because we have the most productive waters within the EU. Some 44% of fish caught in Europe are caught in Irish territorial waters. That is the jewel in the crown. We should be at the top of the negotiating table. We should have special status because it is our future - the west coast. I have been fishing for 40 years and I have seen enough of people emigrating from Bere Island, Castletownbere and everywhere else along the coast. I have seen coastal towns and fishermen with their backs to the wall trying to keep going. This will be an opportunity and if we lose it, it will be the death knell of the fishing industry. It is up to all the Members of the Oireachtas to get together. It is Ireland's treasure; it does not belong to the coastal communities. We, as a country, have €200 billion in debt and yet we are throwing a fortune away every week. It is very hard for fishermen to live within the quotas they have. It is a total and utter disgrace. This is a chance to turn the table.

Look at Iceland and the Faroe Islands. Fishing is their top priority. It is a renewable resource and the jobs are permanent. If there is a renewable resource, the jobs are permanent. There could be oil wells in the Porcupine Bank but they could be gone in 30 years' time. Fishing is going to be there for 1,000 years. We have the richest fishing grounds in the world but it is up to members.