Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

It is good that the fishing industry has been the highlight of Members' attention during statements in the House a fortnight ago and again tonight under Private Members' business. As I come from County Wexford, I am acutely aware of the crisis and the difficulties faced by fishermen in Ireland at present. I have been left in no doubt regarding the dire crisis they face. Some time ago, I put on the record of the House my attendance at a meeting in Kilmore Quay on 19 May. The fishermen and women involved had their backs against the wall. They did not wish to be obliged to drive around the country to attend long meetings; they simply wished to fish and to earn a living.

I was presented with a document that night called, Death of an Industry: Death of a Community. It raised five issues on which I have been working to try to tackle. The first is the price of fuel. As Members are aware, it has increased by 40% since January and by more than 300% in recent years. Moreover, the Common Fisheries Policy must be readjusted and legislation must be repealed in respect of making criminals out of fishermen. In addition, there is a need to discuss the over-policing by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and what will happen to the fishing crews after the decommissioning of the boats.

I acknowledge the great efforts made by the Minister, Deputy Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, as well as the officials, who have worked extremely hard to try to address the many difficulties facing the industry. They have held a series of meetings with both the Federation of Irish Fishermen and in Europe with Commissioner Borg. I look forward to and hope for a successful outcome on 15 July when they return to Europe to secure a rescue package that will be suitable and helpful to all fishermen.

At present, the fishing industry is experiencing what can only be described as the perfect storm. I refer to high fuel prices, falling prices for the catch, dumping of huge quantities of fish from outside the EU, a quota that is too small and, as noted earlier, over-zealous enforcement. Coastal communities are being hit extremely hard by all of the above, as well as by rising interest rates. Lives are being put at risk to survive and perhaps chances are being taken and people go to sea when they should not. However, this arises as a result of the enormous pressure under which people and families find themselves.

The Government is committed to implementing the Cawley strategy. Funding of €216 million has been committed to the fisheries sector under the national development plan and a further €118 million is due over the lifetime of the programme. Last week, the first offers under the decommissioning scheme were made, 50% of which will be paid in the autumn with the balance to be paid in January. This scheme will help to balance the fleet with the remaining resources fishermen must seek out. As for the issue of administrative sanctions, I welcome the request by the Minister to the Attorney General to reconsider a regime of administrative sanctions and to examine their introduction.

As for discards, as I have stated previously, they should be kept and logged. It is a shame that fish that already are dead are discarded into the sea and I seek resolution of this issue as soon as possible. I also welcome the recent statement by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and I was delighted that representatives of the Federation of Irish Fishermen and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority have met. In respect of the issue of increased quota from the Celtic Sea, a response is awaited from the Commission in respect of Ireland's scientific information. I would welcome the increase in quota from the Celtic Sea as sought by Ireland and it is to be hoped it will be successful in this regard.

Ireland has sought financial aid for the fisheries sector from the EU. This undoubtedly is an EU-wide crisis and the Common Fisheries Policy must deal with it. It also constitutes a good test of the EU itself because all its coastal member states face difficulties. They should work together as they face many common difficulties. On the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, 500,000 tonnes constitutes almost €1.1 billion of illegal fishery products that are being dumped into the EU at present. This matter must be addressed and I welcome the Minister's efforts to tackle it. I also welcome the new seafood market initiative and the Irish fisheries and science research partnership. They should be put to work straight away.

While in opposition, it sometimes can be easy to criticise. This Government is committed to protecting the Irish fishing industry. Huge effort has been made in the past six weeks by both Ministers, and by backbenchers like myself who have constantly raised this issue with our colleagues. We hope 15 July will bring the assistance that is required. I am committed to working for the fishermen of Kilmore, Duncannon, Fethard-on-Sea and those throughout Ireland to ensure we have a successful and worthwhile fishing industry.

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