Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I would like to do what my colleagues have done and wish the Minister of State well. He will hear a lot today about the issues that exist. Having dealt with stakeholders previously, I imagine he is aware of some of the critical issues impacting on those involved in the fishing and seafood industry, whether we are talking about those in Carlingford, Clogherhead or elsewhere in this State and beyond.

When we talk about farming, we always talk about the sustainability of the family farm. We need to talk about the sustainability of those employed and who earn their living from the seafood and fishing industry but also those wider coastal communities. I do not think we are anywhere close to that now.

It is fair to say the European Union has been very beneficial to a lot of sectors, industries and the State as a whole but everybody saw the Common Fisheries Policy was one of the means by which this State bought its way into the European Union and, unfortunately, fishing communities have paid a price. We have to assess where we are now and move beyond that.

I commend the work done by Deputies McGuinness and Mac Lochlainn on the survey which engaged hundreds of those involved in the fishing industry. It is a vital piece of work. Deputy

Mac Lochlainn met fishermen throughout the country and he and I met fishermen in Clogherhead. The issues they have are across the board. I want to put the following on the record from the survey:

I am a fisherman from a fishing family involved in fishing and fish processing for over 100 years. I have 4 young children. I have a limited number of years left in this industry as it will soon be gone for good on our disastrous current course. I would love my children to be part of this industry/community/heritage that we have but are fast losing. To steer them towards fishing now would be to stifle them for the rest of their lives. It is frightening to see what bad politics and bad politics alone can do to a once thriving industry.

That is how a considerable number of people see it. We have made recommendations. One is a fish Ireland office, which would be based in Brussels. The issues relate to regulation, to the Department dealing with communities and those involved and to the agencies involved. A lot can be done.

The following question was asked: “Do you believe the Irish fishing industry is in a better state than it was 10 years ago?” The responses were as follows: 5.63% said somewhat worse while 92.96% said it was much worse. I will leave it at that.

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