Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion. The fishing industry is important to County Louth and the people who fish from Port Oriel and Clogherhead provide a significant income base for many families in the area. I commend the Department of Transport and Louth County Council on the ongoing upgrade of Port Oriel's facilities. During my time in this House, the development of Port Oriel and Clogherhead has been one of the political priorities in my constituency, so I am glad this significant investment has given us an excellent port facility which will support fishermen and the industry's well-being for generations to come.

This is my first opportunity to publicly congratulate the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, on his appointment to that most important of offices, and Deputy Killeen on his appointment as the Minister of State at the Department with responsibility for fisheries. I know both men well on a personal level and I have no doubt they will bring their diligence and commitment to bear on an industry that is of significance to our economy.

Since their appointments, the Minister and the Minister of State have engaged fully with the Federation of Irish Fishermen, in recognition of the difficulties being experienced by the Irish fishing industry. They have had a number of meetings with the federation at which all the issues of concern to the industry were thoroughly considered. During the course of last week's Fisheries Council, the federation met the Minister and the Minister of State on a number of occasions and was kept fully advised of developments.

The Minister had a lengthy telephone conversation with the Commissioner, Dr. Borg, on 5 June and, with the Minister of State, travelled to Strasbourg for a face-to-face meeting with the Commissioner and his senior officials on 18 June, where they conveyed in the strongest terms the difficulties being experienced by Irish fishermen. They noted that the current problems have arisen throughout Europe and must be understood in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy, with the consequence that a common European solution is required. They have, therefore, pressed the Commissioner to provide an EU funded package of measures to alleviate the concerns of Irish fishermen. At the Fisheries Council meeting on 24 June, the Minister and the Minister of State set out a strong case for this package of measures and a number of their colleagues supported their view that a pan-European approach was urgently needed to resolve the short and medium-term difficulties.

The proposals published by the Commissioner on 17 June are welcome, although they highlight the absence of any provision for additional EU funding to underwrite the proposals. The Ministers welcome the commitment of the Commissioner to explore all possibilities for the identification of additional funding for the package and look forward to the outcome of his efforts. Following an initial consideration of his proposals at last week's Council meeting, the Commissioner has undertaken to come back to the next meeting on 15 July with definite proposals on an EU package. The Minister and the Minister of State remain committed to the long-term sustainability and profitability of the Irish fishing industry, which is critical to our coastal communities.

The decision to appoint Dr. Noel Cawley to chair an independent review of the industry and bring forward a plan for its restructuring and development is to be welcomed. Following intensive discussions with fishermen and fishing communities, Dr. Cawley brought forward a strategy with the support of Mr. Joey Murrin and Mr. Ruán Ó Bric, entitled Steering A New Course: A Strategy for a Restructured, Sustainable and Profitable Irish Seafood Industry 2007-2013. This strategy maps the way forward for the industry and a key component is the restructuring of the Irish fleet to create a world-class fleet ideally suited to the stocks, species and sustainable practices of the modern fisheries sector, as committed to by the Government in the programme for Government.

The National Development Plan 2007-13 has earmarked €216 million for the fisheries sector with a further €118 million to be made available over the life of the programme subject to verified progressive change in the industry as set out in the national strategy for the industry. The most critical element in addressing the impact of high fuel prices is making the fleet more profitable.

I regret I do not have more time to deal with this important issue. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to make my brief contribution.

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