Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is no doubt the quality of the scientific evidence has improved and it is aiding us in our negotiations. However, the fact is that the Common Fisheries Policy is recognised as a failed policy throughout Europe. Focusing on making the best of this failed policy is a zero sum game for the fishing industry. What we need is to focus on totally changing the overall policy and getting a fair share for our fishing communities. There is potential in aquaculture, but many communities still depend on fishing and should be supported. The potential for the economy as a whole is very significant. Countries such as France do not catch their quota in its own waters but we cannot increase ours. Fishermen end up having to dump more fish than they can land because of this and because of the unfairness and imbalance built into it from the historical situation. Will the Government consider examining the policy on a broader basis and attempt to change the historical situation to allow coastal communities remain viable?

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