Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

People in the Foyle region have waited 13 years for the legislation. On 2 April 2007 it will be 11 years since I was elected to the House. Promises were given in the run-up to every new legislative programme that it would include this Bill. I thank the Minister and Minister of State and their officials. I also thank Opposition Deputies for working with the Government.

The most significant element of the Bill was the change in the definition of shellfish and ensuring its provisions extend to the fish the legislation must cover. This issue was missed by many in the media who appeared to find it too complicated to understand. I note the interest of members of the media today.

We did not want legislation to touch a cap to the concept of North-South bodies. Fishermen will have to implement the provisions. The issue has not been fully addressed by any stretch of the imagination and difficulties will arise in the implementation phase. However, if the implementing plan is made as clear as possible, these difficulties will be minimised. The Bill provides a badly needed framework which we will be able to work.

I thank everyone involved in the Bill and I do not underestimate the difficulties involved in bringing it to this point. I ask Ministers and their officials to maintain their interest in the Foyle fisheries, which are as much a part of this country as any of the Ministers' constituencies.

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