Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing the motion. I support the motion. It is embarrassing to be here and to listen to the argument from Fianna Fáil Deputies who have supported the bringing in by the Taoiseach of the statutory instrument on 28 August. It seems little different from the previous one that was annulled by the Supreme Court and before that by the High Court in another situation. It is embarrassing because we need leadership. We need a change of direction from Covid-19. We need to realise that we have to support our rural communities and support sustainable development in every sense of the term. Fishermen are an integral part of the food chain. I wish we were holding a discussion on how to support them. They take the view they are isolated, and I can absolutely see why.

I represent Galway West with my colleagues. We have the Aran Islands, Inishbofin and a long coast. I can tell the Minister that the sense of alienation being referred to is palpable in respect of the fishing industry.

I am all for sustainability. I am not for overfishing. I cannot say it better than Deputy Bríd Smith said earlier. We do not have policies that are sustainable. On top of that, we bring in a punitive system that the Minister referred to in his speech as being proportionate, dissuasive and effective. It is none of those things.

I wonder at what stage sense will prevail. At what stage will this Chamber listen and, as a result of listening to sensible points being put forward by such an array of speakers, do something about it? Let us get rid of this statutory instrument. Let us learn from the Supreme Court and the High Court. Most of all, let us learn from the fishermen who are telling us this is not possible, fair, just or proportionate.

The four major points have been mentioned already. These include the burden of proof, the points remaining despite exoneration in the court, the multiplying of the points if the quotas are assigned, and the restriction of access to the courts under the appeals system except on a point of law. How can that be justified?

When I look at it, I reckon what has happened is that the Government has got to the point where it can no longer say to the EU that Ireland has failed to comply with what it was supposed to have done since 2009, or with a little leeway since 2012. Here we are eight years later. The co-funding has stopped. It is rising by millions although I cannot remember the precise amount, I did not get a copy of the Minister's speech. The Minister mentioned the money that has been stopped and that is rising. The Government has got itself into a pickle again because it needs the money from the EU and it needs to be seen to do something, but in reality it is not doing anything. Worse than that, it is dispiriting for the fishermen listening to this debate to realise the complete absence of leadership. A little would go far with them. I thank Sinn Féin again for bringing the motion.

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