Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

The last straw for small coastal fishermen was the introduction of amendments to the Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Bill by the then Minister of State, Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher. However, because Deputy Gallagher was from a sensitive fishing area the Bill was put through by another Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, who had no fishermen and only a few yards of coastline in his constituency.

That Bill was draconian and attempted to make criminals out of fishermen. It wiped out small inshore fishermen because its measures dictated that if they were to be fined for any offence they would have a criminal record that would remain on their account for life. This is despite the fact that breaches of regulations in other EU member states are regarded only as administrative offences. Why is Ireland always overly enthusiastic in introducing and dealing with directives? Only for a Fine Gael amendment to the legislation, naval officers would have been allowed to open fire on fishermen in carrying out their work. This provision was dropped by the Minister following the Opposition amendment.

It is no wonder that the Lisbon treaty was defeated comprehensively in all small coastal areas, from County Donegal to County Cork. The residents are sick and tired of regulations and protested in the referendum on the treaty. Let me give two examples. In Kilkieran in Connemara, a small fishing area, the "No" vote amounted to 155, while the "Yes" vote amounted to 37. Therefore, approximately 80% of the people voted against the treaty. In Ballyconneely 181 voted "No", while "56" voted "Yes", which implies that approximately 76% in the area voted against the treaty. This was a response to over-regulation, as the electorate perceived it, and the over-enthusiastic approach of the Government in implementing directives. The electorate voted as it did, despite the efforts of the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív.

Despite the statement of the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, the Council of Ministers has failed to issue a financial rescue package for the Irish fishing industry. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, at the meeting with the Federation of Irish Fishermen, gave the impression this would be achieved on 23 and 24 June. The fishermen's hopes have been dashed again as a result, irrespective of what the Minister of State now says.

With the 40% increase in diesel prices, fishermen are leaving their boats tied up, as many Members said. Why is there such a delay in implementing the recommendations of the Cawley report, as stated by Deputy Coveney? The Minister of State must support Irish fishermen in the current crisis. What does he — he is accompanied by the Minister of State responsible for food, Deputy Sargent — intend to do about the 7 million tonnes of dead fish returned to the sea while one third of the world's population are starving? This scandal must be faced up to and regulated for in order that fishermen will be allowed to bring smaller catches aboard for consumption. Dumping dead fish back into the sea in this day and age is a scandal and must be eliminated.

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