Tony Dempsey (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Deputy Kirk.

Tá áthas orm seans a fháil labhairt ar an mBille seo, atá an-tábhachtach don cheantar i Loch Garman ina bhfuilim i mo chónaí agus ina rabhas ag múineadh le fada.

I welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this Bill which is important to the livelihoods of many of my constituents. I express my sympathy to the Meyler and Colfer families on the awful tragedy that occurred in recent days off the Great Saltee Island. That tragedy typifies fishing activity for many people.

I first became acquainted with the fishing industry when I went to work in Bridgetown vocational college, approximately four miles from Kilmore Quay. Many of the students attending the college were children of fishermen. Many too were good hurlers and footballers. My later involvement with Wexford hurling and football teams brought home to me the awful social conditions under which people participate in fishing. None of the good hurlers and footballers went on to play at senior level for Wexford.

The sea shanties that we talk about and the beautiful way of life for fishermen is very different from what I discovered when I went to work in a fishing area. From Bridgetown I went to Ramsgrange where I taught Pat Colfer and Jim Myler who went to secondary school there. Fishing is important to County Wexford but its fishermen are experiencing difficult times. The fishing industry was not as important as other industries in the negotiations for Ireland's entry to the EEC. Neither did the 1983 Common Fisheries Policy reflect the hardships of the fishing industry. The Opposition parties were in power then when the policy was introduced. I do not want to be party political——

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