Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply but we must go further on this. The Twenty-six Counties of Ireland benefit from the stocks in these farms, so it is a vital resource in Ireland. If we appoint an independent company to commission a report into the sector but do not heed its advice, what is the point in having that process? The company was clear that there is no alternative in the private sector, so there will be a compromise on that front. The water values being brought to the farm may not be achieved in future. We have heard much about how the fish farms are loss-making but let us do an audit on the figures. I am surprised as staff will be redeployed and I understand staff are included in the figures cited. There may be national and scientific costs that should also be included and that must be examined closely.

I understand a former Deputy's book has a chapter on the rod war and the difficulties of the time. This has the capacity to escalate to that level if it is not dealt with urgently because this is a natural resource. As Councillor Andrew Duncan articulated so well at the meeting last night, we are highly dependent on the quality of our lakes with regard to the revenue brought in through tourism. Do we want to throw that away? We are trying to throw away 50 years of work in generating resilient breeds of trout to put into those lakes. Anglers come to our lakes because of the experience and the quantity and quality of fish in those lakes. They will not come if we back away from the industry. We must be very clear.

It is reprehensible for a chief executive officer or board to take a decision as drastic as this when a Government is being formed. The disrespect shown to the Government is also reprehensible and we should stand up to it. We must take urgent action. I thank the Minister of State for his reply.

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