Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators for their co-operation in bringing the Bill to its conclusion. This Bill updates and consolidates sea-fisheries legislation dating back to 1959. When it is signed into law it will provide for the implementation of the requirements of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. The Bill signals the need for proper conservation and management of sea-fisheries. While some may suggest we are too severe, we cannot ignore the scientific data that exist.

Since the Bill was published many Senators, including Senator Kenneally, have made suggestions to improve it. Many of these were taken on board as the Bill grew from 71 sections and two Schedules to 104 sections and three Schedules. The major additions were to the sections on the sea-fisheries protection authority, moving fisheries protection from the political realm and the Department's remit to an almost independent regulator. It is important that Departments with responsibility for promoting particular sectors should focus on this task, with regulation provided by independent regulatory authorities.

I reiterate the necessity for the Department's commitment to the sustainability of sea-fisheries and, in particular, to the coastal communities that depend on the sea, to which Senator McHugh referred. I hope the industry representatives can work with us to ensure we make progress. I am committed to working at EU level to secure better EU controls and penalties for illegal fishing and stronger measures to address the matter of foreign factory ships. We need a better method of monitoring and controlling foreign vessels in our waters. This weakness must be addressed.

I also thank the members of staff of the House for their co-operation in arranging debates on this Bill. I do not wish to finish on a negative note but in almost 20 years in the Dáil I have rarely seen such a concerted and organised campaign against legislation. This applies more to contributions made in the Dáil than the Seanad. I have rarely seen such misinformation from those opposed to the Bill, mainly outside the Houses. A robust debate is healthy in any democracy but certain limits should not be breached. During the course of this debate certain remarks made were out of order and very unfair to the civil servants dealing with this Bill. I am not referring to Members of this House.

As a politician and a Minister I am accountable to the Houses of the Oireachtas. I have no difficulty accepting criticism and can stand here and defend myself. However on a number of occasions during the passage of this Bill a number of people, although not in this House, went over the top with personalised attacks on civil servants in my Department dealing with this area. This is unfair and should not happen. I was also annoyed by anonymous attacks on civil servants by people outside the Houses in newspapers and other publications. This was out of order. I will take the political flak but our civil servants and the integrity of the Civil Service should not be attacked in that way. I regret that it happened.

I do not want to finish on a negative note. I thank everybody in this House for dealing with this Bill efficiently, effectively and fairly and I look forward to having it signed and, on foot of the requests that have been made, meeting the fishermen's organisations and the wider communities in coastal areas to plot a way forward that will ensure sustainable communities into the future.