Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)

In the short time available I will focus on aspects of fishery, which is point four on the motion. Statistics indicate that the world's population will increase to 9 billion by 2050. There will be a consequent increase in demand for agriculture products and we must place ourselves in a strong position by setting out our stall to promote and sell our brands. We must ensure the quality that has been inspired by many in the agriculture and fisheries sectors will continue to grow positively.

Many farmers have bought into the cross-compliance and traceability agenda. While prices are coming back a little, we should ensure their commitment is a two-way street. We can reciprocate that by ensuring quality is rewarded by pricing.

The old Chinese proverb has it that without fish, there is no dinner. I am glad we are joined in the Chamber by the former Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, Deputy John Browne. In his time in the Department, he would have known that there are many historical challenges in the agriculture sector. There is also a mindset of possible paralysis within the Department as a result of the 2007 European Court of Justice ruling which found that this country was in breach of the birds and habitats directive. Since then, there has been a lack of confidence in trying to drive the marine agenda forward.

We must examine the added value potential by advancing our domestic processing capacity. We should look at examples such as Spain where in Zaragoza alone there is a 76,000 sq. m factory dedicated to fish processing. We must also address anomalies that exist in the licensing of processing, especially within the aquaculture sector. We have tremendous potential advantages for shellfish, including mussels, oysters and scallops. In addition, we are exporting in excess of 12,000 tonnes of salmon per annum, but Scotland exports more than 100,000 tonnes annually. That is an example of how we are not realising our potential by using our comparative advantage to drive the agenda.

In Donegal, we have people working at the raw material end with good processing units. However, we cannot realise the full potential owing to Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food regulations. There are good people working in that Department but there is also a mindset that needs to be challenged. The Department should take risks in the interests of sustainability and conservation. Without stepping over the obvious parameters, we must still take risks because we can fish our way out of the recession. It is not all about big boats and deep water fishing. It is also about realising the potential of inshore fisheries. Scallops, mussels and oysters are being exported raw to France and elsewhere. We must examine the processing capabilities and potential in order that shellfish can be exported to India and China.

Unfortunately, the country's busiest fishing port at the moment is Cork Airport in Deputy Noel Harrington's county. It is a sad indictment of our fishing industry when we are importing packaged fish products from as far away as Vietnam. That is the challenge we are facing and it is why we should not lose our focus.

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