Brendan Kenneally (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

This is the first opportunity I have had publicly to congratulate Deputy Connick on his promotion to the office of Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries. I am aware from dealings I have had with the Minister of State previously that he has a great interest in this area. Our constituencies are divided from each other by the Waterford estuary but there is a ferry link between them. We share many common interests in the fisheries area and the Minister has great knowledge of what is required. I wish him well with his portfolio.

I have some sympathy with the proposals in the Private Members' Bill brought forward by Deputy Jim O'Keeffe. During the passage of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 through the Oireachtas, I was my party's spokesperson in the Seanad on marine and fisheries matters. It would be hypocritical of me to take a totally different line from the one I took on that occasion, and I will not do that. Therefore, I see merit in what is being proposed. I believe in administrative sanctions and that they should be introduced. They could be introduced. However, I will discuss that later.

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