Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I rise to ask the Deputy Leader to convey to the Taoiseach and the Ministers travelling to the United States for St. Patrick's Day the severe plight of the undocumented Irish there. I know from a reliable source that many of them are now out of work, and if they show their faces they could end up in jail. It is becoming very serious because of the major downturn in the American economy. Similar to what was said by Senator O'Toole, if this occasion were used by the Taoiseach and senior Ministers to convey to President Obama the seriousness of the situation, it would be worthwhile.

I mentioned yesterday the need for a debate on the seafood industry, but I call today for a general debate on the entire fishing industry and in particular the serious plight of trawlermen. I ascertained last night that among the whitefish fleet, particularly in the west and south, 70% of trawler owners are on interest-only loans, which is very serious. In view of the 40% reduction in the fishing fleet due to decommissioning, if this were to continue and if the recession were to last three or four years, we would not have any fishing boats or fishermen.

To give an example, one young fisherman bought a brand new boat in 2004 costing many millions, and with grant support from the Government and the State he ended up with a net bill of €1.5 million, which he hoped would diminish over the years. Five years later that bill is €1.4 million, he is on an interest-only loan, and he is close to handing over the keys of his house to his bank manager in frustration. The fishing industry is in crisis. I reiterate that if help is not provided, in four or five years' time we may have to sell our national quotas to the French, the Spanish or the English, because we will have neither fishermen nor vessels. This is quite serious, a Chathaoirligh.