Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. Although I come from a coastal county where fishing is not at a level associated with the constituency of the Minister of State or other constituencies around the coastline, it is still an important feature of economic life there. I wish to be associated with the positive remarks Deputy Byrne made on the appointment of Deputy Connick as a Minister of State. In his time on the backbenches he has shown a determination and willingness to take on difficult issues. Irrespective of the Department to which he is attached, he brings a level of freshness to our entire debate. His attitude and approach generally is to challenge issues and widely held views. I know he would not reject this Bill just for the sake of rejecting it or because his officials advised him to, but that he would have taken time to study it and its implications for the fishing industry. I am confident, based on the submission he made here yesterday, that his response is well thought out and based on his knowledge and understanding of the facts.

There is little doubt that the conservation of fish stocks is vital. We all recognise that despite the old adage that something is as plentiful as the fish in the sea, is no longer the case. We have seen a considerable decline in our fish stocks. In order to have an effective conservation policy, we must have an effective method of policing it. Penalties are very much part of that. The Opposition recognises that our fish stocks are at historically low levels. We need to strengthen rather than weaken the resolve to protect our stocks.

The Minister of State has outlined clearly that the Bill could introduce low fines for significant offences, which would promote illegal activity. I believe it is the intention of the proposers of the Bill to try to assist smaller fishermen, who would be the focus of all our intentions. However, they should be aware that anything that might be done to assist smaller fishermen might, ultimately, leave the back door open for larger fishermen who might, through a weakening of the situation benefit to a point that would make it easier for them to continue or develop an illegal practice. This concern is at the heart of our opposition to the Bill.

Deputy Byrne pointed out that it is not just about protecting fishing stocks. We protect them for a reason. There is a strong, viable economic dividend to our fishing industry and in the region of 11,000 jobs are associated with it. These are jobs in rural communities, areas where it is difficult to encourage foreign direct investment and where we do not find the multinationals or have a presence of the IDA type supported companies. The fishing industry is vital for these areas. I understand the industry contributes in the region of €780 million to our national economy in 2008. This clearly underpins the necessity to protect our fishing stocks. I have every confidence the Minister of State is attempting to protect the fishing culture in our rural communities and the importance it brings from the economic perspective. At the same time, it is important there are effective controls but that these are not overly burdensome, particularly on smaller fishermen.

We all recognise that while we have vast fishing grounds around our coast, there are bigger players from other nations, particularly Spain. We would not want to undermine the sanctions that prevent the predatory practices of fishermen from those nations while making an effort to assist those we want to help. I would not want to see a situation where we set out to assist a vulnerable group, but ultimately open up a facility for the larger predators to break the law, damage fish stocks and face only weak sanctions. That would not be in the interest of either the economic component of the industry or its future development.

I compliment the Minister of State on his approach and wish him well in his ongoing discussions and negotiations at European level. Those negotiations and general fishing policy are very much part of a combined effort through the European Union. He has a very difficult job to do but, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be aware, he has the skills, tenacity and the mettle to deliver for fishermen in Ireland.

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