John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I congratulate my Fine Gael colleagues, Deputy Creed, who is our spokesman in this area, and Deputy Sheahan, on this critically important motion. If one visits coastal areas such as Killybegs, Castletownbere and Rossaveal, one will see that fishing communities throughout the country were left out in the cold over the last ten years, as the rest of the economy flourished. The previous Fianna Fáil-led Government all but abandoned the fishing industry and the coastal communities. One third of the population lives within ten miles of the coast. Ireland's territorial waters, which extend 200 nautical miles from the coast, are ten times bigger than Ireland's land mass. In the absence of leadership over the last 11 years, the Government has been content to waste Ireland's marine sector, which is one of its greatest untapped natural resources.

As a result of the Government's failure to show any commitment to the development of the marine sector, our fishing industry is in crisis. The costs associated with fishing vessels and diesel are increasing rapidly. Issues such as insurance costs and over-regulation are imposing enormous hardship on those working in the industry. As Deputy Creed said, just 1% of the European fisheries budget is allocated to Ireland. I guarantee the Minister, Deputy Smith, that this country's fishing communities, which were waiting for his party at the referendum on the Lisbon treaty, will be waiting for Fianna Fáil when we go to the polls again in 12 months' time because they feel they have been sold down the tube.

Any commitments which may be given at this time will be a small price to pay. Fishing vessels worth up to €400 million are parked at the port of Killybegs, in which €50 million has been invested. I fully understand and appreciate the critical role that the fishing industry plays in coastal communities. The marine sector continues to be in relative decline. The livelihoods of our coastal communities are being endangered by the neglect of the Government. I do not blame the EU. Aquaculture should be developed in the interests of our coastal communities and those involved in our inland fisheries. Responsibility for the marine sector has been divided between four different Departments. Fine Gael has given a commitment to re-establish the sector at Cabinet level, with a senior Minister, but that has not been pursued by the current Government.

The motion before the House, which is directly concerned with the latest and most severe crisis to be encountered by the fishing industry, deals with many of the important issues which can be directly addressed by the Government without having to wait for the EU. The Government can take immediate action to save the fishing sector. It must reverse its policy of disregard and disinterest if fishing communities throughout Ireland are to survive. The Government's indecision is wasting valuable time. When I was Fine Gael's spokesman in this area for two years, I travelled to the various coastal communities to meet fishermen and their families. There is no point in giving lip service to such people. Responsibility for matters such as inshore fisheries, inland fisheries, coastal erosion and marine aquaculture has been given to other Ministers or Ministers of State. We should state honestly that the Government has neglected our coastal communities. The area within 200 nautical miles of the coast of Ireland comprises an area ten times bigger than its land mass. The third of the population that lives within ten miles of the coast is being paid lip service.

There has been a U-turn on the fantastic document produced by Dr. Noel Cawley. When the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 was being considered by the Oireachtas, we heard the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, engaging in a total fabrication. As Deputy Jim O'Keeffe mentioned, that legislation provides for the criminalisation of fishermen. When I met the EU Commissioner, I was assured that there is no reason we cannot decriminalise fishermen who engage in certain activities. Under the legislation I mentioned, a fisherman who has committed a small offence cannot go to America because he is deemed to be a criminal.

We must address the needs of our fishing fleet. There are too many boats out there. It is unacceptable that Ireland benefits from just 1% of the EU fisheries budget of €3.5 billion. The making of a one-off investment in the decommissioning of boats has been recognised as a policy tool that is perfectly justifiable in terms of the public good that ensues. The motion before the House calls for a uniform and balanced approach to the enforcement of fisheries regulations, which is important. Fine Gael does not condone over-fishing. It supports the enforcement of the regulations of the law. Many people are concerned that the potential of the fishing sector is not being met. The worldwide demand for fish is evident in every store. It is a question of pushing an open door. However, the processing companies are experiencing difficulties. Some 14 factories in Killybegs have been closed. Every factory in Rossaveal and Castletownbere is closed.

Does the Minister, Deputy Smith, think it is enough to pay lip service to the industry? Fishermen who have made huge investment in this sector, while rearing families, are justified in thinking they should get more than lip service. Where is the Cawley report? It was suggested before the last election that Dr. Cawley was eminently qualified to compile the report. He visited all the fishing communities. Not only was it suggested that the establishment of a single marine Department would be considered, but it was promised that ministerial consultative committees would be put in place. What is happening in areas like aquaculture? Nothing is happening with the proposed marine research development in Galway. The seabed survey has been cancelled. The inland fisheries sector is all over the place.

The Minister will not fob me off. I assure him that Fine Gael is standing with coastal communities. We will not renege on the promises we have made to them. Deputy Kenny has stated clearly that when Fine Gael is returned to Government, it will revitalise this valuable industry. It is unacceptable that Ireland, as an island nation, has been totally relegated. I do not give the Government any credit in this regard. It has neglected our coastal communities. It has failed to create jobs in such areas. It claims that it is involved in consultations and meetings, but it is doing absolutely nothing. Fishermen are annoyed. They were annoyed when I visited them some years ago, but they are now more annoyed than ever. I guarantee the Government that if it ignores them, it will do so at its peril. Deputies who represent coastal communities are well aware of what people in such areas felt about the Government the last time they went to the polls. Whatever they thought of them then, they think even less now. People in coastal communities will make their feelings clear when the local elections are held next May or June. They are annoyed about the changes which have been made to diesel excise rates, for example.

This is one of the most critical issues to have been raised on Private Members' business for some time. I assure the House that this problem will not go away. It is not good enough to pay lip service to the fishermen, or to try to fob them off.

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