Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

In his opening contribution to this debate, the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, in referring to the waters off our coast, stated: "[T]hey are European waters now whether one likes it or not." There are many involved in the fishing industry who would see this as a large part of the problem, not that fishermen from other member states are allowed fish in our waters, but that control over those waters has, as the Minister of State admitted, been effectively handed over to the European Union under the rubric of the discredited Common Fisheries Policy.

This State has nominal sovereignty over 11% of EU fishing waters and yet Irish fishermen only take around 4% of the EU catch. It is a natural resource that has, or had, enormous potential. I say "had" because since 1973 not only have billions of euro in worth of fish been taken by foreign fleets with no advantage to the sector here, that free-for-all has resulted in the depletion of many of the species around our coast.

There is a clear need, therefore, for stocks to be managed and conserved but the problem is that Irish fishermen feel that while other fleets have been responsible and are still responsible for the bulk of over-fishing, it is they who are being made to pay the main price. This explains the huge anger that exists among fishermen and fishing communities at what they perceive to be the attempt through the Bill to criminalise them. Other Deputies have detailed the massive discrepancies that will exist between the level of penalties imposed on Irish fishermen and their EU counterparts if this Bill is passed. That will only compound the discrepancy which already exists between the policing of Irish vessels and those from other states.

When Commodore Lynch of the Naval Service spoke recently to the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, he provided figures which show that the majority of the serious actions, including warnings and detentions, taken by the Naval Service against fishing boats are against Irish boats. This is despite the fact that around 60% of the larger fishing vessels operating in Irish waters are foreign vessels and that these are most likely to be involved in illegal practices.

That belief is confirmed by the evidence of fishermen who observe these vessels in action and the ploys in which they engage to avoid detection. Even when they are boarded, there appears to be little the Irish Naval Service can do, as Commodore Lynch admitted to the Oireachtas committee. Not only is it difficult for the Irish Naval Service to monitor the quota given to foreign vessels, it is not even its role. In effect, this means that foreign vessels can operate with a large degree of impunity in Irish waters and that advantage will be further tilted in their favour by the introduction of the type of penalties against Irish fishermen proposed in this legislation.

In his speech, the Minister of State said "There is an obligation on every Member and on the European Commission to ensure that we have a sustainable fishery and preserve resources for future generations". On the face of it that is true. However, how much concern did other member states or the Commission show during the 30 years that Irish fish stocks were subject to a virtual open season? It is only recently that they expressed concern. It appears the onus for preserving stocks is to be placed on Irish fishermen alone.

I was glad to see that Deputies Perry and Broughan agree the Common Fisheries Policy has been a total failure and is in need of an overhaul. My party argued this for a long time, just as we pointed out the manner in which Irish fisheries were sacrificed as part of a deal made on accession to the then EEC in 1973. I know other speakers made that point and several other related points. It is not too late to attempt to revoke that or at least engage in some damage limitation to ensure Irish fishermen are given priority in the future management of our fishing waters and that this State begins to exercise some sovereignty in this regard.

I concur with calls from other Members for a full debate on the future of the Irish fishing industry. That debate must involve a root and branch examination of the terms under which Irish waters are mismanaged under the Common Fisheries Policy and the proposals for a new strategy from those involved in the sector. I suggest the first step should be the rejection of this legislation.

As someone with a background entirely spent in the fishing industry, with the exception of a few years when I had to engage in activity regarding British occupation of part of our country and this political excursion for as long as it lasts, I must state I could be passionate and fired up about this issue. However, I felt that might cause a diversion to the backbench Deputies who stated they are particularly displeased and angry with this legislation. I want them to keep that anger until they vote on this legislation. I hope they will exercise it wisely.

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