Gerald Nash (Labour)
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I thank Mr. Fleming for his very powerful testimony. I can confirm that he is not a fantasist because I know the work he has done. Mr. Fleming and I have worked hand in glove to improve this situation for quite some time. In many respects, he is a dissident voice but a distant one in terms of trying to improve the worst excesses of some practices in this industry.

I support the call by Deputy Niall Collins for the agencies that were involved in developing elements of this scheme to be invited before the committee to give testimony to it. It was on foot of a discussion that we had two or three months ago at this committee that I, through the Chair, extended an invitation to the delegation present to attend. I did so because I believed Mr. Fleming's voice and that of the MRCI needed to be heard and needed this platform to raise awareness about the wilful abuse of some people who came here in good faith. Some of them do not have permits. Some of them have chosen not to take up the opportunity that was presented to them by the introduction of the permits scheme in late 2015 and early 2016.

As has been rightly pointed out, I met 42 non-EEA fishermen who are predominantly from Egypt. They travelled to meet me in Drogheda in late 2015. I am glad that I heard their testimony in order that I can bear witness to their experience. I met individuals who are here in good faith. The men ranged in age from late teens up to 60 years of age. I asked them to convey how many of them had valid permits with a show of hands and fewer than ten men raised their hands.