Jim Higgins (Fine Gael)

If media reports are correct, it seems that the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Joe Walsh, and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, will have to make considerable concessions in the CAP and marine negotiations on fisheries policy and quotas, respectively. While we know we have done well out of the Common Agricultural Policy, this country is largely dependent on agriculture for sustaining a considerable tranche of the population. On fisheries policy, we can no longer afford to sell the family silver. We have seen our fishery grounds pillaged repeatedly. If free access is granted to the Irish Box, particularly to the Spanish, we will have considerable difficulty in developing our resources. Before too long, preferably next week, both Ministers should come to the House to spell out the Government's stance on the Fischler proposals and fisheries policy. We should give them whatever support and solidarity we can. It should not be a case of closing the door after the horse has bolted.