Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)
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Chair, I congratulate you on your elevation to the Chair of this very important committee. I am delighted to be a member of it. Like Deputy 'Chap' Cleere and Deputy Maxwell, I am from an inland county, the great county of Cavan, but it is world-renowned for having the best freshwater fish in the world. We have 365 lakes. I understand from your earlier comments, a Chathaoirligh, that this is not part of our remit to date but I would like to see this committee's remit extended into that area. I am very familiar with the difficulties the fishing industry has. Down through the many years I have known the Cope Gallagher, he has kept us all well informed, and he is briefed generally about not only the difficulties but also the positivities of the fishing industry. Being a frequent visitor to the Magheraroarty region of County Donegal, which is my second love apart from my own county, I am very familiar from speaking regularly to the fishermen in that area with the difficulties they are encountering. I take on board exactly what Deputy Mac Lochlainn said about the great potential this country has as regards the fishing industry. I very much look forward to playing my part as a member of this committee but I would like to see its remit extended to the inland waterways and inland fisheries of this country.