John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to have the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I am not from a fishing constituency. However, it is important that those of us who do not represent such constituencies come into the House to speak about the marvellous asset we have in our fishing industry.

The Government has acknowledged the grave problems being experienced by our fishermen in the short term and going back over many years. In terms of the current difficulties being experienced, the biggest issue of concern is that of insufficient quota to which I will return. There have been enormous increases in fuel prices. It is fair to say they have in some instances trebled in recent times. I understand from media reports that the cost to trawlers of diesel for a ten day fishing trip is now almost €20,000, which is astronomical. It is hard to make margins of any meaningful proportion when faced with such costs.

Another issue mentioned by many speakers is that of discards which fishermen are obliged to go along with. It is a terrible shame that this is the case. I referred earlier to quotas. The problems I have listed are not, by any stretch of the imagination, of the Government's or fishermen's making. Some of them, such as fuel prices, are beyond the control of Government. The quota situation dates back to 1973. It is true the fishing sector has been the poor relation for many years.

Ireland is surrounded by almost 20% of EU waters yet it receives only 4% of the quota. There is something radically wrong with that. This problem dates back to 1973 when quotas were first put in place.

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