Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)

I am glad to have an opportunity to say a few words on this matter. As my colleague, Deputy O'Keeffe, stated, I come from a fishing community. One could say I was born and reared in a fishing port and I continue to live there. I have witnessed many changes there during the past ten or 15 years. When I was much younger, some 30 or 40 half decker boats left the port of Bunbeg. One would not see two boats leaving that port nowadays.

I am amazed that the Criminal Justice Bill 2007 seeks to lump in fishermen with big criminals and drug barons. This is, as Deputy Howlin stated, a reflection on fishing communities who are trying to make a living at great danger to themselves. They have suffered so much in the past. There have been many tragedies at sea in Donegal, along the western coast and in many other European countries. They are on their knees at the moment. Killybegs was always known as the premier fishing port in this country, perhaps even in Europe. Currently, however, Killybegs is virtually a ghost town. Some €300 million or €400 million worth of ships are tied up to the pier and they will probably not go out until next October.

Fishermen were targeted in the maritime legislation that went through the Oireachtas in 2006. They were criminalised for major infringements that are dealt with in other European countries by fines or administrative measures. Here in Ireland, however, we always go that extra mile, as a result of which the fishermen are under pressure now. I am amazed that fishermen are being targeted once more by this Bill, which deals with serious criminal matters. It is a piggyback exercise by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources who, incidentally, said last year that he would examine the decriminalisation issue by amending the legislation. Instead of that, however, he has gone a step in the other direction.

There is widespread dissatisfaction about this draconian measure, which I want to convey to the Minister. As Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, we are all in favour of conservation, including fishermen. Fish constitute a renewable resource but if stocks are to be vacuumed out, they cannot be renewed. Fishermen are interested in the future of their children and grandchildren, but this legislation is an example of using a sledge-hammer to crack a nut.

Has there been any consultation with fishermen? Has the Minister consulted the industry about this legislation? If consultation had taken place, the Minister would find that fishermen feel hurt and insulted, given that the Bill comes on the heels of what occurred last year. On behalf of the fishing community I represent, I ask the Minister to accept this amendment.

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