Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

I wish to share time with Deputy Kathleen Lynch.

I commend the Fine Gael Party on introducing this critical motion. Two weeks ago in the House, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and I outlined the horrendous position facing fishing families, including in Howth in my constituency, Greencastle, Burtonport, Killybegs, Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere, Union Hall, Dunmore East, Kilmore Quay, Clogherhead and smaller ports, of which there are 30 to 35 in the State.

Fishermen cannot afford to go to sea because the price of fuel has increased by as much as 50% in the past four or five months and an increasing number of them face the bleak prospect of unemployment. The worryingly high level of cheap imported fish from Africa and Asia and the historically destructive impact of the Common Fisheries Policy quota system have also had a devastating effect on fishing communities.

More recently, fishermen have felt under siege from the new regime of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority based in Clonakilty. I have received many e-mails illustrating this point, with the actions of the new authority described by some of my constituents as akin to waging a war of attrition against fishermen and attempting to criminalise a whole community. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, introduced the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority Bill and criminal penalties for what are essentially administrative failures.

Irish fishermen continually see foreign vessels fishing with impunity in Irish waters. In my previous role as fisheries spokesperson of the Labour Party, I and my colleagues on the Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, as it was known then, invigilated the Commodore of the Naval Service. It emerged from our meeting that Spanish, French and Dutch fishing fleets operate according to one law, while a different law applies to the Irish fleet, in other words, our fishermen are treated much more harshly than foreign fishermen.

Many fishermen and their families believe they have no option but to accept the recent decommissioning proposals, for which €43 million has been allocated. It is heartbreaking for families with a fishing tradition stretching back for generations to decide no longer to put to sea.

The Labour Party has a longstanding view of the fishing industry. In the early 1970s, for example, the great Justin Keating and others in the party believed the Common Fisheries Policy would be a disaster for Ireland. Unfortunately, this element of our relationship with Europe continues to require invigilation.

In recent weeks, the Minister had an opportunity to make a case on behalf of Irish fishermen and their families. The outcome of last week's Fisheries Council meeting was greeted with intense disappointment. It appears we must wait until 15 July at the earliest before positive steps will be taken. The Taoiseach, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Tony Killeen, failed yet again to deliver for Irish fishermen.

There is no time for prevarication. With fuel prices crippling the industry and damaging the prospects of as many as 50,000 people who depend in some way on sea fisheries, short-term support is needed. I fail to understand the reason the Minister chose to rebuff the request by the Federation of Irish Fishermen to introduce some short-term measures. It was an incomprehensible decision.

The Minister's lethargy and inaction are in marked contrast with the conduct of President Sarkozy who will visit Ireland next week. Speaking in a French fishing port, the President stated the French fishing tradition was an integral part of the French nation which would be defended, come what may. Unfortunately, Government incompetence on the Lisbon treaty and, subsequently, on the fisheries issue has allowed circumstances to arise in which our maritime tradition, which is integral to the nation, is in a desperate state. The Government has failed to act.

I ask the Minister to outline what positive measures will be taken. Money must be put on the table as part of a vigorous response to the problem. It is pointless to state decisions will be taken in two or three weeks when the House will be in recess and the fishing industry in tatters. It is time for action and the Minister must live up to his responsibilities.

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