Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

Coming from a midlands county where the lakes and canals are important to its fishing industry, I have listened with great care to what Deputies Sheahan, Ferris and Sherlock have said about coastal fishing. In July I took an interest in developments in the fishing industry. I know the significance and the potential of the forthcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting will have on fishermen's incomes. It is important we ensure the quota restrictions and the emergency measures introduced in July are fully discussed and the Cawley report recommendations, particularly in the structural measures and decommissioning, are accelerated.

In July, when the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Tony Killeen, met with fishermen's representatives in Athlone, one major issue was the decommissioning of fleet vessels over 18 m. The question also arose as to what would happen to those vessels under 18 m. Will the Minister of State inform the House what developments have been made in this area?

Fishing is a tough livelihood to which many of us have never been exposed. Fishermen work hard and it is important they be given every assistance possible. Although I live in an inland county, I admire the bravery of fishermen who go out at all hours, day and night, to secure a limited but declining livelihood.

While I hope it is only a rumour, it has been indicated to me by some inland fishermen that there will be a stock delimitation in eel fisheries. The coastal and sea fishermen have suffered from quota restrictions and so forth. They have taken more than their share in hardship in this regard. In the case of eel fisheries, however, there are up to 1,000 jobs at stake. We can ill afford to lose any more jobs in the fishing industry at whatever level at sea or inland. Any restrictions on eel fisheries will affect a significant body of fishermen from the midlands to the south west. It has been indicated to me that there might be a 95-year restriction on eel fishing which I believe is an incorrect interpretation. Will the Minister comment on this?

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