Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. It is good news that the Minister of State has met the Minister of State, Deputy English, and the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and they agreed to review the scheme. I welcome that the Minister of State mentioned the possibility of a permit scheme. That is exactly the type of scheme non-EU workers are looking for, a scheme that would allow them to enter contracts for three years and allow flexibility as opposed to the current rigid, inflexible system. That is welcome news and I thank the Minister of State for the work he has done on that.

I urge the Minister of State to consult. Regarding whatever the terms of a new scheme might look like or what a permit might look like, I urge him to consult with the boat owners, the sector, the Irish and EU crew who work shoulder to shoulder and side by side with the non-EU crew and, most important, consult with the non-EU crew members who contribute so much to the sector, the regions and the coastal towns they live and work in. They need to be consulted in order to get this right. Please do not let language or anything like that be a barrier. In my experience, they want to engage and have their opinions and thoughts heard. I urge the Minister of State to ensure there is consultation in bringing this new scheme together.

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