Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will go back to where we were a while ago in this debate. If a Government ever wanted to pull out the foundations of the support that it might or might not have, it would attack the farmers and fishermen and succeed in turning all of them against it. Let us consider what the Government is doing with this wording. The wording means that someone will be presumed guilty rather than innocent. Surely that goes against every right-thinking person in this country. Our fishing people have enough obstacles against them as they try to make a living in difficult circumstances, which is all they are trying to do. Financially, it is difficult because the costs involved are enormous. Given the price of diesel and machinery, fishing people are really up against it. Then there are quotas, trying to compete on the seas and make a catch to earn a profit in order to keep going. Boats are regularly being tied up in bad weather and there are many other obstacles, while trying to keep on the right side of the law.

Then the Government that is elected to represent fishers comes along with wording such as this and refuses to accept genuine amendments from genuine people who know the truth. The killer issue about all of this is that the Minister does not agree with it himself. In his heart and soul, he would like to be over here saying what we are saying because he knows we are right. However, as the Minister he must toe the party and Government line. It is like being inside in bed with the Green Party. My good God, I would rather be anywhere else in the western world or the uncivilised world than be inside in bed with the Greens. The Minister is selling everything he fundamentally stood for himself. I do not mean to personalise this issue and I am sorry if I am doing that. I know the Minister is a decent politician and a hard-working man. At the same time, if he is going to stand up here and say we are all wrong and he is right, then I am sorry but he is wrong and he is in bed with the wrong crowd.

The Minister should be standing up for the fishers. He wanted to go out and meet them to tell them he was on their side. He should show them that he is on their side tonight. Fair play means you are presumed innocent until found guilty. The inclusion of the word "probability" is wrong and alien.

I am mindful that we should all help the Ceann Comhairle tonight so I will not use my full time.

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