Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"commends the Government's continued commitment to the sea-fisheries and aquaculture industry in its substantial programme for the reform and sustainable development of the industry as outlined in the programme for Government and the national development plan, recognises the considerable progress made to date in the implementation of those work priorities, and welcomes the Government's plans for the delivery of the Government programme and the national development plan during this Government's term."

I join with other speakers in welcoming the Minister of State to the House. I am pleased to have the opportunity to make some points about the marine issue. The motion is a highly irresponsible representation of the true facts of the industry. The House has heard all but an acknowledgement of such from Senator Finucane in that he understands the issues in play and the frustrations that any Minister of State in any Department will have in trying to deal with the issue.

It is clear from reading the motion that it could not possibly have been written by Senator McHugh, being from an area such as Donegal and being so aware of the progress made over the years. Nor was it written by Senator Finucane. I wonder if it was written by the Fine Gael spokesperson in the other House, Deputy Perry. I am sure that if it was written by him, being opposed to the marina in Rosses Point in his own constituency was not part of it. It would be interesting for his constituents in Sligo and for the county councillors in the many constituencies around the country where the other four marinas are supposed to go to know that the Fine Gael position is to oppose the marina.

The proposed amendment to the motion is eminently justified by the facts underpinning the Government's record in respect of the marine sector and I commend it to the House. Under this Government there has been a record level of spending and capital expenditure over the past number of years on harbours and in a wide variety of other areas. Next year, €95 million has been earmarked for the development of the marine sector and this will greatly improve marine communities around the coast. The Government has set out its developmental plans for the sector in a very clear way in An Agreed Programme for Government and the National Development Plan 2000-2006 and it is following through on the various commitments. Many have already been delivered and we are moving quickly ahead in a systematic manner to deliver on the remainder.

To refer again to the motion, under no circumstances can the action and proactive approach of recent years be described as "inaction". The person who drafted the motion is clearly not politically aware. Perhaps it would be understandable if the person who wrote it had been asleep for the past ten years. I am amazed that Senator McHugh and others with responsibility in the Fine Gael Party allowed the motion to be tabled.