John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Mr. Cawley agreed to take the job on the basis that it would be a totally independent review. The eminent group which we set up agreed to consult widely with the industry and to have a number of regular meetings with the industry as it progresses through to the final vision.

It is also important to maintain the group's independence. The fisheries organisations sought an independent group, which would look at the entire fishing industry, including the positive and negative aspects, the quota reduction and that too many fishermen are involved in the context of quota, and which would draw up a strategy that would enable fishermen and their families around our coastline to have a decent income for the future.

Let us be honest. What is happening at present, with reducing quota and the same number of fishermen, will not provide a viable fishing industry for the future. The group will look at all the aspects, including decommissioning, research and development, innovation, added value and new boats, replacement boats or removing fleet from the industry. We should not tie the hands of Mr. Cawley and his group because they would not take it on board. Mr. Cawley has been successful in the food sector and we should give him a chance. No doubt when he drafts the vision for the future, it will be one with which the fishermen will agree. Knowing Mr. Cawley, he cannot draft a fishing policy for the future without entering into dialogue with the fishery sectors and the communities on how any new policy for the future will affect coastal communities and the jobs in those communities, which is also important.

See this speech in context