Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Fishing is a difficult, hard business and one in which there should be more people working. This country is in recession and if we are to get it up and running again it will require the development of agriculture and fisheries to create employment and jobs. When we receive European regulations we go ten times further in implementing them than every other country. We have regulated our fishermen out of business and we have sold them down the drain in the way in which we have given in at European level. This has happened because we have not had a strong Minister in Europe to defend them, to fight for them and to keep them in the business. It is wrong that many more people could and should be in the industry or business but they are being sold down the drain.

Many families in the west made a living from fishing. There is much talk about the salmon industry. Now it appears the problems are nothing to do with the amount of fish but relate to climate issues. Apparently, that is the reason the fish are not coming into the country.

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