Seanad debates

Thursday, 21 November 2002

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.

 

I have great admiration and sympathy for fishermen who risk their lives to provide this wonderful resource which is significant both culturally and economically. However, we are threatened by the Spanish, in particular, since the Prestige disaster. While we must do something about this issue, we must be coherent, consistent and be prepared to accept a little pain. I will quote a decent man from the Aran Islands, Mr. Fitzpatrick. Since my mother was Fitzpatrick, I take pride and joy in his good sense and clarity of thought. He said, "They must think we are right idiots. They talk to us about conservation but these deals are just about votes and politics, nothing more and nothing less." He is one of a handful of people who stayed on the Aran Islands. The rest of the fishing community have moved to Rossaveal. It is being put up to us as politicians by people like Mr. Fitzpatrick to have a coherent policy.

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