Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I welcome this Bill as it comes to its conclusion. It has had a long gestation. It is many years since I raised in the other House with the then Minister for the Marine, Deputy Woods, the necessity of having a transparent and independent system for the licensing of vessels. There was concern in the past that some of those licences were given out in dubious circumstances. The industry itself, even up to four years ago, was looking for an independent appeals system which would be taken out of the Minister's hands.

Much thought has gone into this legislation. I followed with interest its discussion in the Dáil where there was much teasing out of the amendments. I welcome the constructive spirit in which the amendments from the Opposition side were accepted for the enhancement of the Bill. It is timely and I hope it will be implemented as quickly as possible. It will be welcomed by the industry itself.

The issuing of licences and the sustainability of expiring fish stocks are important considerations. I will not elaborate on the sequence of recent events and the allocation of licences. This is an important factor, not in relation to our own stocks but with regard to what is happening off the African coastline. Are we to exploit the fish in that location and create problems in other locations throughout the world?

I welcome the Bill and I hope it will be implemented as soon as possible.