Seanad debates

Thursday, 21 November 2002

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.

 

I am worried as a result of today's confirmation that we do not have sufficient offshore personnel. Perhaps this Bill will go some way to amending that situation, although I doubt it. I do not think we have anything like the naval resources needed to police our seas. May I make a suggestion to the Minister of State? It may seem naive, but naive ideas sometimes work. Now that we have joined the idiotic nonsense that is the Partnership for Peace, why should there not be an equivalent arrangement in the naval sphere? If the European Union claims that it can protect our fishing stocks and guarantee that certain regulations and stipulations will be obeyed, perhaps it should be responsible for ensuring vessels and other services are provided. The European Union should ensure its laws are upheld, or at least directly fund the expansion of the Naval Service. If we have to suffer the intrusions of marauding groups of Spanish fishermen, the European Union should pay us to help protect our resources.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.