Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I appreciate that Deputy Keaveney knows a lot more about the Foyle fishery than I do, living in one of the most inland areas in Ireland with no access to the sea at all. I welcome the opportunity, however, to say a few words because this forms part of the Good Friday Agreement and, in that context, is extremely important.

It is unfortunate that the Northern Ireland Assembly is not in place to discuss this issue and then debate it with Members of this House who come from the affected areas. I hope that situation will soon be rectified and the season of Christian love and goodwill offer the chance to overcome the final barriers to the establishment of the Assembly.

The suspension of the Northern Ireland Assembly has caused difficulties for the six North-South bodies, not least Waterways Ireland. It has held up progress on the Ulster Canal and other extensions to the Erne waterways, creating problems for tourism. The purpose of the Bill is to extend the functions of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission, one of the six North-South implementation bodies.

The definition of aquaculture only relates to farming. There is some anxiety about wild native mussels that are found in the Foyle. There are also question marks over the definition of jurisdiction over certain areas. I hope it will not be a major issue but we must address it. The mussel farmers have invested money but what protection exists for them?

We have heard much about consultation in the past but the consultation document for this was available in Northern Ireland but not to Deputies and Senators of these Houses, a point that was made to me before I came in.

My colleague, Deputy Perry, the Fine Gael spokesman on the marine, has raised these issues in detail. I do not know enough to go into detail but I could not help but agree with Deputy Keaveney's request to remember local people who have had access for years. We must ensure that whatever legal bodies are set up, these people are recognised and this does not become a haven for outsiders.

The agreement provides that the Loughs Agency would be given responsibility for aquaculture and fisheries and should have the power to promote and develop Loughs Foyle and Carlingford for recreation purposes. I concur with Deputies Keaveney and Morgan about widening the scope of this document to make sure it is fully utilised to encourage the development of both loughs. They are located near the Border in areas that have suffered great deprivation over the years. All funding that might become available should be used. The Minister also referred to the need for legislation in Northern Ireland. We can only hope the Assembly will resume next March or April and will deal with the legislation, rather than using the more complicated route through Westminster.

The Bill, when enacted, will provide a robust regime for the regulation of aquaculture on Lough Foyle. I hope that will be the case and that it will turn out to be as good as this sounds. The key provision, which confers power on the Loughs Agency to grant aquaculture licences, also permits it to issue penalties. I have not read the Bill in detail but I am concerned about penalties because I am reminded of what has happened in farming. I have dealt with a number of cases in the past few days of farmers who are in desperation and panic because they do not have a penny left as a result of penalties imposed on them. Where people do wrong, they should be liable for penalties but justice must be seen to be done so people are not subject to penalties they cannot afford. The farmers who came to my clinic recently are extremely worried and what is happening to them is unacceptable. A number of departmental officials dealing with them are not worried by this.

The Taoiseach needs to clarify a number of issues in his recent statements on the St. Andrews Agreement. He has made it clear funding will be provided by the Exchequer to underpin the agreement, which is vital. The Carlingford and Foyle boards will welcome this. It was stated the Ulster Canal and the road between Dublin and Derry, the fourth largest city on the island, will be upgraded. The Minister for Agriculture and Food issued a statement that the road between Dublin and Donegal, which goes through Derry, would be improved but the NRA has made it clear in the past few days that it has no plans whatsoever to upgrade the road between Monaghan town and the Border. We want the facts to be correct and to get everything right. I do not want to hear public statements that cannot be totally supported. If it is to ensure the Good Friday Agreement works and is meaningful, the Government and the party of which I am proud to be a member, will give 100% support but a realistic, factual statement about funding for the projects for the canal and road I mentioned is required. That is the least that can be done during this season of goodwill.

I wish everybody the best of good luck and a happy and holy festive season.

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