Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to contribute to this debate on the fishing industry. We do not often have the opportunity to comment on that industry in the House.

Fishing has been a Cinderella industry for many years. Approximately 12,000 people are involved in the industry, many of the difficulties relating to which date back over 30 years. Those in the industry were partly responsible for creating these difficulties because the organisations which represented them were far too diverse. I refer here to the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, the Irish South and East Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish Fishermen's Organisation, the Irish Fish Producers Organisation and one or two others. These organisations did not speak with one voice and this never helped their cause. However, they are now under the umbrella of the Federation of Irish Fishermen and the position is changing. The president of the federation, Mr. Michael Walsh, comes from the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's constituency. He is a sensible and knowledgeable person and if we are fair with him, that will be reciprocated to the benefit of us all.

I welcome the agreement among EU Ministers on illegal and unreported catches both within EU waters and outside them. It is estimated that such catches are costing us in the region of €1 billion annually, so the practice has to be stopped. Our fishermen have also been guilty of catching fish illegally and of landing them in undesignated ports, but their offences were minor compared to the fishermen of other countries. I understand that regulations were lacking in some of the major fishing states in the EU.

Several years ago, as a member of the Oireachtas marine committee, I met the Commodore of the Naval Service. I told him about an incident involving fisheries officers and a local fisherman who was fishing close to shore. The fisheries officers were only doing their job but a Naval Service member was sent to assist them. There was no need for that and it represented a poor use of resources. It is easy to catch fishermen close to shore but the Naval Service should be out at sea stopping the people who do the real damage. Too often, they chase our own instead of foreign fishermen.

I do not often agree with Deputy Broughan but I concur with his comments on the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority. I have heard that organisation referred to by fishermen in my area as the Gestapo, the Black and Tans and in other less than complimentary terms. I was told that officials of the authority planned to set up a stand at a fair in Killybegs but were advised against it. I could relate further incidents but I will not do so because I have been told by fishermen that they could face repercussions. Fishermen are being targeted for minor technicalities. Everybody will make a mistake in a log book at some stage but that is not being recognised. Perhaps the Minister can bring sanity to the authority. I agree with administrative sanctions. I visited Brussels with the Rinn committee and met the Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Dr. Joe Borg. Administrative sanctions are applied in most continental jurisdictions, so I do not accept the advice of the Attorney General that they cannot be introduced in Ireland. Administrative sanctions were introduced a number of years ago on the advice of a former Attorney General and the legislation on regional fisheries boards also provides for them.

I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on their efforts to increase access by Irish fishermen to cod stocks. Several years ago, Dutch boats were permitted to come within six miles of the coast to catch juvenile cod, which they then discarded. The South and East Fishermen's Organisation wanted to act responsibility by changing the regulations. That meant they could not fish for cod either but they did not mind because it would allow the stocks to replenish. This goes to show that if we work with them, they will work with us.

Before concluding, I have to mention the port of Dunmore East, which is in my constituency. Development of the port is proposed in the national development plan. It currently has a turnover of €13 million and that figure is rising steadily. It has not been well managed in the past but it now has an excellent harbour master.

I commend the Minister, Deputy Smith, and the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, on their engagement with the Federation of Irish Fishermen. Their efforts are appreciated, as are their representations to the Commissioner, Dr. Borg.

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