Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his opening contribution. While we might not agree on some matters, we can agree that the Common Fisheries Policy has not been great for Ireland. It is archaic and dates back to the 1970s. We can also agree that the latest trade deal, incorporating a 15% reduction in quotas, will lead to an additional loss to fisher of €43 million. We can further agree that we live on an island that is surrounded by water. We can agree that we have potentially the richest fishing waters in the world, particularly if we go on the basis of our original fisheries map, which shows our waters reaching nearly as far as Greenland and includes a lucrative channel which runs in the direction of Scandinavia. It is a no-brainer that the potential for growth in the fishing industry, including inland fisheries and processing, in Ireland is infinite. I worked in processing and fishing a long time ago when we used to have the casual workers book. I was very proud that one could actually earn a few bob during one's holidays, claim back one's tax and give a few bob at home. It meant a lot to the local community.

We also need to invest in maximising our fishing industry because it has the earning potential of €2 billion. I have seen in too many ports fish landed in boxes which then goes on a fork-lift and into the back of a lorry container, the doors shut and it heads for France. There is no processing. It makes absolutely no sense. Earlier in the week, there was a news report about not being able to land mackerel by fishing line. Many people around Ballycotton, Youghal and Cobh - we have 1,100 km of coastal areas in Cork - were terrified that they would not be able to sail a little vessel out with 12 or 14 lads on it. It is the knock-on effect that makes me angry. This should be an absolute no-brainer. We are an island surrounded by waters with probably the best fish in the world, but we are not allowed fish in it. The zone is now 12 miles off the coast. I heard the EU wanted to only give us a coastal zone of only six miles. That makes no sense whatsoever.

A knock-on effect of the development of the fishing industry in coastal communities would be the growth of businesses, such as in the context of the provision of icing machines.

The most important thing here is the processing of Irish fish in Ireland and the quality of food that we have. I appeal to the Minister, like many other speakers have said, to go back into Europe and to say we have had enough of being abused and of being taken for granted and that we will not take any more of this. We need to take back what is rightfully ours. We will certainly negotiate but we are surely entitled to a fairer share.

This what is happening here at the moment. We saw this in Cork two weeks ago and it was a fabulous sight as the flotilla of all of the ships came into Cork Harbour, which a great many followed online. This was not what one would call a protest but was a celebration of the industry and of all those families and generations who have lived on and by the sea and who just want to maintain what they have and their fair share. We will see the same atmosphere in Dublin next week. As elected representatives in this House for the people, we should be going back to Europe and saying that it can take its foot off the hand now. We need to be able to stand up and stand our ground to say that we are entitled to what we should be getting here.

One person I spoke to briefly before I came in here, and he did not mean this in any nasty way, but as a public representative for east Cork, he told me to ask the Minister how can he legally earn a living for his family. That is the amount of fear that people have. I appeal to the Minister to do the right thing. Let us be strong against Europe and grow our fishing industry so that we can be very proud of it.

See this speech in context