Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Ar dtús báire ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis na comhaltaí go léir a labhair ar an díospóireacht thábhachtach seo faoi chúrsaí iascaireachta. D'éist mé go géar agus go cúramach leo agus beidh mé ag caint leis an Aire Stáit, Deputy Tony Killeen, i dtaobh na tuairimí agus na moltaí a d'ardaigh Teachtaí le linn na díospóireachta.

I want to assure the House that we will not shirk our responsibility when it comes to opposing proposals that are unfair, not supported by science, inappropriate or simply impracticable and unable to deliver on the required outcome. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, cannot and will not defend the indefensible and, where it is indisputable from a scientific perspective that particular stocks are being fished unsustainably, he will support the appropriate measures to rectify that situation. The issues for decision at Council are causing concern around the coast and Members are hearing this at first hand from their constituents, as I am from mine. It is clear there are issues that will affect the north-west area significantly.

Deputy Sheahan referred to the Cawley strategy, which remains the widely agreed Government development strategy for the seafood sector. The Government committed total funding of €118 million for the support and development of the seafood sector in 2009. The Cawley strategy covers the period from 2007-13. Dr. Noel Cawley continues to chair a broadly based implementation group, which met two weeks ago, to drive on the implementation of the strategy.

I agree with Deputy Sheahan's comments on discards and the importance of reducing the level of same. Discarding fish is not acceptable. We have raised this issue as a priority and we are committed to supporting measures at EU level and bringing forward our ideas to the EU so that urgent action can be taken to reduce and eliminate discards. Deputy Sherlock referred to the fuel package in July. In September, Ireland submitted proposals for additional EU funds to support a package of measures to adapt the fleet and increase profitability. This package involves further decommissioning of fishing vessels. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food raised this matter at the most recent bilateral meeting with Commissioner Borg last week and pressed for the Commission to bring forward proposals for the allocation of additional funds to Ireland at an early date.

Deputy Penrose referred to eel fishing. There is serious concern about the state of eel stocks at EU level. The eel fishery is not subject to consideration at the December Fisheries Council. However, the management and conservation of eels is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and I will convey to him the Deputy's concerns regarding the eel fishery.

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