Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Minister on getting out of the traps extremely quickly in respect of this sector. His experience and his passion for this subject will be of assistance to the industry.

I wish to raise two points. The first relates to the fact the Minister has inherited a Department which is paralysed by fear. This is the case as a result of the European Court of Justice's 2007 decision to penalise Ireland for being in breach of the birds and habitats directive in the context of the aquaculture industry. There are possibly upwards of 700 licences which must be expedited. I have spoken about this matter to the Minister on a private basis and I am of the view that some form of public timetable is required. There must be a meeting of minds between him and the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, Deputy Deenihan, who has responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, in respect of this matter. A timetable must be placed in the public domain in order to instil confidence among those in the industry to the effect that a roadmap exists and that there are potential investment opportunities in this area for entrepreneurs. Such a timetable must be drawn up by the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Tourism, Culture and Sport.

My second point relates to the disaster involving Arranmore Island, which has placed the entire debate on area 6A in context. I had an in-depth discussion about this matter with the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy McGinley, this morning. The fishermen on the island were completely dedicated to the lobster and crab industry, which has now been totally wiped out. Their hands are tied because they cannot, for example, sail out to catch bait. Neither can they catch the lesser spotted dogfish, pollock or other whitefish. The reality is that area 6A is an example of how the system is not working. Donegal, most particularly its coastal communities, voted "No" to both referenda on the Lisbon treaty. This is a significant matter which must be examined.

I request that the Minister examine the research currently being carried out by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, in respect of the possibility of catching the lesser spotted dogfish within the mixed fishery of area 6A. The cod recovery plan is in place but everything else is being penalised as a result of this plan. Fishermen who want to catch lesser spotted dogfish are not catching cod and neither are those who want to catch pollock. As already stated, therefore, we must examine the research being carried out by BIM. A good and in-depth analysis has been carried out locally as well as nationally. I hope the Minister will give serious consideration to the research to which I refer.

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