Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witnesses for attending in order to deal with this Bill. Some of them witnessed our hearings with a range of fish producer organisations last week. Those organisations are united in their opposition to the Bill. I was struck by how none of them had been consulted about it. I found that extraordinary.

Against overwhelming odds, the witnesses were collectively forced to defend their livelihoods right up to the Supreme Court. It is financially terrifying to go to that level. The cost and exposure must have been extraordinary, and all to defend an Irish natural resource. The witnesses were vindicated in the highest court in the land. This legislation arises from that. There is no doubt about that - it is explicit.

No producer organisation in the entire State, never mind fisherman, was consulted on the legislation.

We then discover that it is not a case of the Good Friday Agreement, cumbaya and let us all hold hands together across the island of Ireland because it is not a level playing pitch. The boats registered in the North have access to UK and Irish waters, but they are not subject to the same licensing arrangements and same regulations. It gets worse. It would be bad enough if we were talking about Irish boats, but we are, in fact, talking about foreign investors who took advantage of a loophole regarding residency in the North to access the natural resource in our waters. Have we learned nothing?

Reference was made to oil and gas exploration. From the Minister's demeanour and contributions in the Seanad, I believe his intentions were honourable, but when we get under the issues, it is verging on the need for a public inquiry. Thanks to fishing industry representatives and the fish producers' organisations we are aware of the matter. It is deeply alarming that senior officials in the Department, following the decision of the highest court in the land, could put together legislation that was so painfully against the interests of the people and their natural resources which should be used to create jobs and wealth. I find it absolutely extraordinary and astounding. After the evidence last weeks from the fish producers' organisations, I cannot for the life of me understand how anybody could draft this legislation and argue that he or she is acting in the national interest. If there was any doubt, we had the London Fisheries Convention, which is obviously under threat as a result of Brexit.

Normally I would get to a question much quicker than this, but I had to say all of that while the representatives of the fishing industry were here. I thank them for taking a stand and defending Irish interests. I congratulate them on the outcome and their courage. I deeply thank them for what they have done for the people in exposing the issue. They have been entirely vindicated and are supported by the entire fishing community on the island. It is extraordinary that they find themselves at this point.

I shall move on to my questions. Mr. Kelly spoke about the Molville district. Perhaps he might elaborate on what he said.

With regard to Brexit, it was stated we needed to reinstate the voisinage letters and so on because they would put us in better stead. Will the representatives clarify the matter? Will they also elaborate on the implications of the statement that Britain intends to withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention?