Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I am sure that many Senators watched the recent RTE television programme about the shortcomings in the fish farming industry, especially along the west coast. I want to say at the outset that I am very supportive of the fish farming industry, which has provided many employment opportunities and a great deal of economic prosperity along the western seaboard. The RTE presentation identified many instances of serious shortcomings and neglect in the industry, however. These problems will undermine the industry and cause immense damage to the prospects of future development in the aquaculture sector. Can the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources come to the House to provide information about the investigations that are being conducted at present? What action does he propose to take to stamp out the practices that are damaging the industry, putting at risk the livelihoods of hundreds of people and damaging the prospects of long-term economic prosperity and further employment in this very valuable and important industry?