Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I listened with interest to the Minister's comments. I am sure he will agree with me that any reduction in the opportunities available to the fishing fleet in the north west would be devastating. We have seen the devastation in ports across County Donegal. Killybegs Harbour is still operational, but many other ports, including Burtonport, Bunbeg and other smaller ports, are no longer operational to the same extent. We cannot see a reduction. What would such a reduction do to the Government's current plans, particularly those announced six months ago next week in Killybegs? Deputy Pringle and I were in attendance when the Minister announced the creation of 250 jobs by 2014 and 58 jobs in the seafood processing sector. Six months later, however, not one of these jobs has materialised, as the Minister indicated to me yesterday in response to my parliamentary question.

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