Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)

We can all agree that the Common Fisheries Policy has been a bad deal for Ireland. All sides accept that and it is not the Minister's fault. He did not negotiate it. However, it is a reality that we must address and a fact that we must change. To say our waters have been plundered by our EU partners is not putting it too strongly. We gave away a most valuable resource in our coastal waters. It is no wonder the level of employment in the fishing, maritime and ancillary industries has fallen consistently and dramatically since we gave away these natural resources. It is also no wonder that those who love fishing, the sea and related industries are as frustrated they are at what they see as the continuing throwing away of our resources, which is wrong.

Like Deputy Ó Cuív, I spoke out at the time we joined the European Union. I said one inevitable consequence of signing up would be the selling out of our fisheries. Unfortunately, there were not many on Deputy Ó Cuív's side of the House who agreed with me and my party and with my analysis. I commend Deputy Ó Cuív for his foresight and honesty in speaking up when he did.

Before the publication of the reform proposals, I had hoped they would open up a new era for fisheries in the European Union, one that would benefit Irish and European fishermen, food producers, ancillary industry workers and consumers, one that would be fair and reflect the level of resources EU nations had at their disposal. I had hoped this set of proposals would amount to more than a fine-tuning of what was already in place, but it is not. It is a tinkering at the edges and a barely concealed attempt by the Commission to take from those who are barely surviving in the fishing industry and put the money into the hands of the conglomerates. I am delighted to hear that the Minister will, on behalf of the people, resist and oppose compulsory privatisation, which is what it is. We will support him in his opposition to this proposal.

I am new here and do not know how things work. Were any Irish Ministers, officials or agencies negotiating with the Commission before it came up with these draft proposals?

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