Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I raise the old chestnut I have raised from time to time. Will the Leader arrange a debate on the fishing industry? Unfortunately, the industry is in deep crisis. There is a major problem and some fishermen are on the verge of bankruptcy. We can talk about the rising cost of fuel, other costs in a tightening economy, such as payments for boats, etc., but in my lifetime — I come from a coastal community — I have never seen the industry so swamped. It is swamped with regulations and it is sinking fast. Unless something is done in the coming weeks rather than months, the fishing industry will collapse. Trawler men have said to me they face deep financial crisis. Recently a man told me a ten-day trip cost him €18,000 in fuel alone and that the five crewmen on board got €25 per day. They would have received more than that 40 years ago.

Fishermen recently protested and they were against the Lisbon treaty, which I can understand. I plead with the Leader to arrange an urgent debate on the fishing industry for which I called approximately six weeks ago. I know many industries face issues but the one industry which is facing wipe-out and is sinking fast is the fishing industry. It is like the perfect storm. I would like an immediate response.

The Minister is in Luxembourg but teetering around the edges and telling us the Cawley report is the panacea is like throwing crumbs at a bear. I cannot emphasise enough the seriousness of the situation. The coastal communities will rebel. What we saw in Clonakilty a couple of a weeks ago will have been small scale compared to what will come down the tracks if something is not done. Places like Killybegs, Castletownbere, Kilmore Quay, Dunmore East and Rossaveel will be ghost towns in a couple of years if we do not do something. The industry is crying out for help and Members of both Houses and successive Governments have ignored the fishing industry for the past 30 years.