Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

The Foyle Fisheries Act 1952 was both innovative and progressive. Despite British occupation of part of our country, the commission helped small isolated communities to protect and develop the natural resource of wild salmon. Much good work was done by the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, notwithstanding its poor record on discrimination.

The Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, known as the Loughs Agency, was established under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement in 1999. There are 12 board members comprising a wide spectrum of political opinion and expertise. I was honoured to serve on the board for three years and I thank board colleagues and staff who have served the agency very well since its inception. The board chairperson, Councillor Peter Savage, has been both inspirational and interesting at all times. Those who know Peter will know what I mean by "interesting". He is also an extremely competent councillor and one of the ablest in this State. I also acknowledge the leadership of its chief executive officer, Mr. Derek Anderson, and his deputy, Mr. John Pollock, both of whom are very helpful and competent.

The agency has the potential to bring very important development to the communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Development in a wide range of fields, including fisheries, tourism and angling, would offer much-needed jobs to people in those communities. Tourism, for example, has huge potential, as do water-based sports activities, and there is massive potential for hillwalking in the Mourne and Cooley mountains. The agency can bring the tourists into both areas and others can exploit the potential of a huge, untapped international market. There are similar opportunities in Donegal.

Angling means more than just fishermen on a bank but encompasses deep sea fishing for sharks and other species and could be developed further. The Loughs Agency is the perfect vehicle to ensure this development occurs. It is the perfect engine to drive the significant economic opportunity available to communities in the vicinity of both loughs. Already much very important work has been done. For example, the agency, in collaboration with Queen's University Belfast, has studied the DNA of salmon. This gives an interesting insight into both health issues and the behaviour of fish. The research also informs us about issues associated with escaped farm salmon and the implications of cross-breeding between wild and farmed fish. Much more, however, can and should be done.

The Bill is a long overdue beginning to give the agency the legislative footing necessary to carry out its role effectively. There will also be substantial challenges for local fishing communities as new practices are necessary to maximise the potential of this natural resource. Significant investment will also be necessary and the Loughs Agency has the capacity to guide and administer the communities in this area. Very substantial financial reward is possible to enterprising people.

Mussels, for example, have undergone a huge price rise in recent years. Only four or five years ago wild mussel would have fetched maybe £100 per tonne, whereas now the price of good quality mussel is anything between €1,200 and €1,500 per tonne. That gives some indication of the capacity for significant financial reward for those involved. The Dutch provide the best example of good practice in this area, having improved their processes over generations. They grow the product and harvest it using substantially enhanced techniques. Added value is key to their industry and we can easily replicate that in Ireland, giving the sector a huge impetus.

Licences will undoubtedly cause controversy and we have already heard that Members have received representations. Perhaps we should keep our constituency offices open a bit longer because if this legislation comes into effect, we can all expect additional representations from people in that area. We need to enact it first, however, and I hope in doing so we can combine loyalty to those who have been involved in the industry with new enterprises whose investment may be necessary to capitalise on the full value of this huge resource.

I said this legislation was overdue, as it is, but I acknowledge the difficulties involved for the draftsmen as they try to make sure every comma and full stop in the Bill in this jurisdiction is replicated in the legislation on the northern side of the Border. I hope the legislation will pass quickly but I acknowledge that it is imperfect. I also acknowledge that, because of the cross-Border dimension, there will be huge difficulties amending it. Nevertheless, I wish it a fair wind and look forward to communities around the two loughs having significant additional opportunities as a result of it and the work of the Loughs Agency. Long may it continue.

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