Seanad debates

Thursday, 21 November 2002

Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.

 

It is hard to convince fishermen on the issue of conservation. They agree with it but when there is a choice between getting paid this month or not fishing because of some decision in Brussels, it is hard for them to be disciplined enough to accept that. It is hard for people who, for generations, have lived from hand to mouth on the basis of whether the fish are running this week or the weather is good enough to go out. There is a list of conditions over which they have no control and they have always had to make hay while the sun shone. Fishermen need support and they have never got it. The points made in regard to the piers, infrastructure and the fleet are relevant. We have not invested in them.

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