Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I do not believe the fishing industry was sold out in 1973 but I do not expect many people across the political spectrum would disagree with the view of the fishing industry and the person in the street that ensuring a good deal for Irish agriculture was the priority in 1973. As a result, our eye was taken off the ball in respect of the fishing quotas we received. The situation has remained largely unchanged despite valiant efforts to change it, although a measure of success was achieved a few years ago. Much larger fishing quotas could be given to Ireland.

The quotas we received in 1973 were sufficient for the kind of fishing in which we were engaged. The need for larger quotas has arisen as a result of the significant growth in Irish fishing over the past 30 years. Irish fishermen became much more effective as a result of a considerable amount of hard work on their part and large grants to upgrade their boats. What was practically a cottage industry in 1973 has now become a major industry, which is very sophisticated and could handle larger quotas. We must accept this.

In respect of discretions and protecting our quotas, foreign fishing boats must notify the authorities before they enter Irish waters. If I recall correctly, they must notify the authorities on a two-hour basis when they are in Irish waters and must again notify them when they are exiting Irish waters. Foreign boats are subject to the same search procedures as Irish boats. I am aware that people either believe that it is wrong to allow foreign boats to fish in Irish waters or that it is illegal for such boats to fish in Irish waters but certain foreign vessels have legal access to our 200-mile zone. Every foreign boat in our waters is subject to two-hourly satellite monitoring, which notes its identify and location. The Air Corps overflies the 200-mile area every day, using the two aircraft we possess, and the Naval Service boards vessels, so nobody should assume that foreign boats are not monitored or are not entitled to fish in Irish waters. Some foreign boats are entitled to fish in Irish waters.

I appreciate the intention of Senator McHugh's amendment, which is to give people the maximum amount of notice. However, giving people at least seven days' grace before a notice restricting or prohibiting sea fishing would effectively undermine the State's ability to properly manage the State sea-fishing quotas and sea-fishing effort under the Common Fisheries Policy. The State must be able to act very quickly to prevent the exceeding of the quotas or fishing effort, for which the State could be penalised under the Common Fisheries Policy. The management of quotas and fishing effort is akin to a tightrope balancing act. If this amendment was accepted, it would probably be detrimental to the Irish fishing industry.

I am aware that Department officials try to allow the maximum amount of fishing before closing down the fishing effort in a particular area. If they were forced to give seven days' notice, this would take place much more frequently in order not to exceed the quota. A considerable amount of fishing can take place in seven days and a considerable amount of precautionary measures would be taken. There would be a considerable amount of stop-start activity in the fishing industry because officials would decide to close down efforts seven days early if they were found to be within 100 tonnes or 1,000 tonnes of a quota in a particular area because there are so many vessels operating which could exceed their quota in the next seven days.

Everyone agrees that the system is not perfect but what is being proposed in the Bill is better than giving seven days' notice. Each vessel has one day's grace between the notices being served and having effect, which permits the maximum degree of flexibility and least amount of disruption to fishermen. It is therefore better to leave the system as it is.