Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I congratulate the Fine Gael Party on introducing the motion and thank my colleague, Deputy Broughan, for affording me speaking time.

Those working at sea are employed in one of the most regulated sectors but among the poorest working conditions in the world. Approximately 12,000 people work in the fishing industry in Ireland. This figure, which includes those who work at sea, on the quayside and in fish factories and processing facilities, is not to be sneezed at. Ireland's fishing ports include towns such as Union Hall, Kilmore Quay, Castletownbere, Kinsale, Youghal, Ballycotton and Killybegs, all of which are in peripheral areas with few other industries. For this reason, it is vital we take seriously the crisis facing the industry.

One does not often see fishermen blockading ports and they do not tie up their boats unless absolutely necessary, whether because quotas have been filled or it is pointless to go to sea to fish a livelihood. We must take seriously recent actions by fishermen by offering an aid package. It is no longer good enough that our main competitors, France and Spain, provide state aid, while Irish fishermen do not receive any assistance. We would all prefer if, under a common European policy on state aid, assistance would be provided on equal terms across the fishing industry. Failing this, however, it is the Government's duty to step up to the plate and take responsibility, as the French and Spanish Governments have done.

Recent events have provided the first test of the negotiating skills at EU level of two new Ministers. Unfortunately, neither the Minister nor his Minister of State has done well. We remain hopeful, however, that something can be done and the Minister and Minister of State will enter new negotiations. It is a widely held view in the fishing industry that fisheries were the victim of the Common Agricultural Policy and formed part of a trade off in the early days of our negotiations with the European Economic Community. This should not hold us back because the fishing industry is as important as agriculture and must be treated as such.

Why is fish not marketed better? Other areas, for example, Scotland, have successful seafood sectors because they had successful marketing campaigns. People working in the fishing industry live in areas where there are few, if any, other industries. It is not only a question of livelihood but also of being able to remain in the places where they live and work. Ireland would be much worse off if we allowed those engaged in the industry to drift out of it.

In every other country, breaches of regulations are considered administrative matters and subject to fines, whereas we have decided to criminalise fishermen by making breaches of regulations a criminal offence. This issue needs to be resolved. The industry is in crisis and a package of aid is needed. Fishing boats would not be tied up in ports if there was no crisis. When will Ministers take the crisis seriously and act on behalf of fishermen and maritime communities? Why is the Minister not in Brussels continuing to press the case of our fishermen? Other countries take their fishing industries seriously. For example, France considers it part of its entire agri-aquaculture industry. France insists on defending it and has been successful in doing so. Why can Ireland not do the same? Fishermen throughout the country are monitoring this debate and wondering why the Ministers with responsibility in respect of this matter do not take the industry here as seriously as do their counterparts in other countries.

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