I am particularly pleased to have an opportunity to contribute to this debate. This is an issue of extreme importance in my constituency of Donegal North-East.

Fishing has always been a major employer among rural dwellers, along the coast in Donegal and throughout the country. The industry has been dealt its fair share of blows in recent years. It is only right that it is recognised that the Fianna Fáil Party has seen the fishing industry through many good years. Ministers across the board have done as much as they could for fishermen down through the years and I do not believe this is about to change.

I commend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and his Minister of State, Deputy Tony Killeen, on their handling of this issue thus far given their recent appointments to this portfolio. Given the current global economic climate, it is a difficult brief. However, it is in capable hands. Members will be aware that some of the issues affecting the fishing industry, in particular rising fuel costs, are beyond the Minister's control. These increases are having a devastating effect on many industries. I commend the Minister and Minister of State on their efforts to convince the Commission to focus on issues such as research and innovation in the development of more efficient engines and fishing practices.

It is important that we realise at this stage that the decline in fishing stocks, the cause of many of our current problems, is an issue which we neglected for many years. We did not realise the importance of regulation in this area. I acknowledge that climate change is also causing problems in this area.

Stocking levels of cod, whiting, herring, sole and so on in the Irish Sea are of major concern. It was never going to be easy to ask fishermen to decommission in order to allow restocking. However, this is what has to be done. This issue pertains not alone to Ireland but to other countries in the EU. To put it bluntly, there are too many fishing boats and not enough fish. It is a European issue. We, as proud members of the EU, must contribute to solving the issues.

I welcome that the Minister and Minister of State met last month with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Mr. Borg, to again outline the urgent issues facing the Irish fishing industry. I also commend both Ministers on their close engagement with the Federation of Irish Fishermen in an effort to allay their fears and to hear firsthand their concerns. As the Minister informed the House last night, he outlined last week to the Council of Fisheries Ministers a strong case for a package of EU funded measures to address the current difficulties being experienced by Irish fishermen. I remain hopeful that a series of tangible short to medium-term measures will be presented by Commissioner Borg to the fisheries Ministers on 15 July.

Under the National Development Plan 2007-13, the Government has earmarked €216 million for the fisheries sector with the possibility of a further €118 million being made available over the lifetime of the programme subject to verified progressive change in the industry as set in the Cawley strategy. With all interested parties engaging with one another and with a favourable set of proposals on funding from the EU we can achieve a sustainable and profitable industry in Ireland. I look forward to real measures being proposed on 15 July in an effort to sustain this critical industry for our coastal communities. It is an EU-wide issue. I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on their substantial efforts, particularly over the last number of weeks, to inject aid into this failing industry.

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