P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I thank my colleague, Deputy Michael Creed, for sharing time. I also congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for fisheries and forestry, Deputy Tony Killeen. I hope commonsense will prevail when they meet Commissioner Borg next week. It is sad to reflect that this island nation does not receive preferential treatment because it is the only island nation in Europe that relies greatly on its marine industry.

For years our stocks have been pilfered by foreign trawlers and all Irish fishermen seek is for commonsense to prevail and a level playing pitch as far as their European counterparts are concerned. It is sad to reflect that hardworking Irish fishermen are criminalised and branded as criminals because they have a box or two of fish over and above the limit in their catch. How can a fisherman control the number of fish that enter his or her trawl? It is well-nigh impossible. I appeal to the Minister and the Minister of State, when meeting Commissioner Borg in Europe next week, to emphasise to him the plight our Irish fishermen are in through rising fuel costs, inadequate quotas and excessive surveillance by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. This famous authority was set up, mar dhea, to preserve the stocks in Ireland. How can it do so when vast amounts of edible fish are dumped over the gunwales of the boats for the whales and whatever else to consume?

Unless active consideration is given in Europe to our fishing industry, the day of pious words will butter no bread for Irish fishermen. I ask the Minister, who is making his debut in Europe, to use his clout on behalf of Irish fishermen to ensure the continuation of a national industry that kept Ireland going down through the years.

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