Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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Congratulations, Chairman. It is an honour for me, as an islander from Arranmore Island, County Donegal, to be here working with the other committee members, as I will do over the next few years.

Inshore fishing is the biggest issue the islands have. It is a lifeline. The inshore fishery, once a thriving industry, is now basically non-existent, bar a few fishers. Islanders, who have been working on lobsters and crabs for years trying to maintain stocks, need funding. We need to look at that in the long run and try to bring this industry back to the islands. If we do that over the next few years, it will be an achievement for us all. We can all push together on that to make inshore fisheries sustainable. Our children are still going away to Australia. We understand that people leave to work in industries. In the 1980s, there was an abundance of boats, particularly in Burtonport and on Arranmore. They are now non-existent. Over the next few years, however, if everybody pushes together, we will definitely be able to look into certain aspects of the issue. For instance, opening up pollock for small boats would be a great start. If it takes time to achieve these things, so be it. I look forward to working with all members over the next few years.