Seanad debates
Thursday, 21 November 2002
Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
There is an internal difficulty, however, in that the Irish Fishermen's' Organisation has become an ineffectual body, though I know it would dispute that. The Killybegs Fishermen's Association and the South and West Fishermen's Organisation are recognised by the Department and are looking after the interests of fishermen in their respective areas. A new body, the Irish Fishermen's South and East Organisation, caters for fishermen from Mine Head to Clogher Head. That is a huge stretch of coastline where fishermen claim they have had no representation and that this new organisation is being set up to look to their needs. The Department, however, has not recognised this organisation, even though it is proving to be a very responsible body and is even recommending a closed area to assist conservation. It quite rightly points out, however, that there is no point in Irish fishermen staying out if foreign boats have free rein in an area. There is no point in our conserving stocks only to have our EU neighbours come in and clean us out. I hope the Department will give the new organisation due recognition sooner rather than later. I ask the Minister to look closely at this.
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