Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

Last week several Senators referred to the importance of having the Minister for Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources attend the House to debate fisheries. It is critical that he attend the House next week. Over the weekend fishermen's organisations and fish processors emphasised the situation that would prevail and which would be catastrophic for the industry if negotiations next month are not successfully concluded. They outlined the possibility that the Spanish may have the right to use the Irish box, an area extending 50 miles around the coastline, from 1 January 2003. It is important to the fishermen and for spawning and conservation that the box be preserved. If the Spanish gain access it will be the end of fishing as we know it in this country.