Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

On a serious note, I am disappointed that we have had no debate on the fishing industry despite the four requests I have made since Easter. I am acutely aware that the Minister was ill for some time. I accept that situation but he should attend a debate on the fishing industry as a matter of priority when we return from the recess. I also wish to support my colleague who sought a debate on farming, which is well overdue. That should also be a priority when we return for the new session.

I also wish to raise an issue that is of great concern to me having been born in a coastal area. It concerns the current search off the Cork coastline for two people who are missing after a fishing expedition. Unfortunately, this is a far too frequent occurrence along our coastline. Many people living inland have no idea of the severity and ferociousness of the Atlantic swell, which can sometimes hit our coasts five or ten metres high - as high as a two-storey house. Far too often, people from eastern Europe in particular, who have no knowledge of the Irish coastline go fishing. In this unfortunate case, a father took his 13 year old boy to do some fishing on Cod Head on the Beara Peninsula. Such accidents occur all too frequently I ask the Leader to use the influence of the House to suggest that local authorities should erect warning signs in remote coastal areas. It is obvious to most local people that it is unsafe to fish from rocks in these areas, but such accidents have occurred in Clare and Kerry also. Every year we lose seven or eight people off our coastline in such circumstances. We should have a debate on the safety aspects involved, as well as demanding that the dangers should be signalled. There is a long summer ahead, but some people are foolhardy enough to go rock fishing in areas that are absolutely unsafe.