Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

I wish to clarify a point for Senator Kenneally. In doing so, I am not saying he is alleging anything or telling me or my colleagues how we think. Fine Gael is not looking for short-cuts or any route other than that of obeying the rules and regulations. We are certainly not looking for loopholes whereby in certain instances a boat owner or fisherman could break the law. That is not the case.

I used the opportunity presented by moving the amendment, albeit in a roundabout away, to make my point. We are all agreed on grant aiding fishermen to improve vessel safety and other provisions in line with regulations on a specific instance basis and trying to ensure boats use the proper port or do the right thing, but when one speaks to fishermen on a daily basis there seems to be a complete lack of confidence in the overall monitoring of the marine sector. That is no disrespect to or a poor reflection on the work of the Department. I am not trying to undermine the role played by the king-pins in the Department and that played by the enforcement officers in enforcing the regulations. Fishing is not a black and white industry and that is where the problem lies. Many fishermen take issue with the fact that on the one hand they have to obey quotas within certain zones — Irish fishermen are obeying them — while the other hand, fishermen from other countries can disobey them. That is where a lack of confidence comes into the system. On a related matter, there is an awareness that there is very little monitoring and regulation of factory ships. I am not saying that is the de facto position, but there is an awareness and an appreciation that the same rules and regulations are not being enforced in terms of the operations of factory ships.

We are not talking about a grey area where certain rules can be considered differently. What fishermen are seeking in the fishing sector is common sense. I know people who write legislation but how does one legislate for common sense? I was at a mass recently where a priest said from the altar that common sense is most uncommon. We have a job to do in terms of legislation, but we must appreciate that we have ambassadors within the fishing sector who want to obey the rules, have a sustainable industry in the long run and work with the Department and with legislators. We should be working closer with them in terms of seeking their advice and their guidance. There are many proactive people in the fishing lobby and in the fishing representative organisations.

This legislation is bad news for the industry. There may be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel with the early spring not having been as bad as previous years.