Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support the calls for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to come to the House to debate social welfare fraud. The national broadcaster did a good job last night by throwing a spotlight on this area. We all agree that resources in that Department should be re-allocated to investigations. Indigenous industries such as agriculture and fishing are inundated with inspectors and some of these could be redeployed to this area and save the State an amount of money.

The Common Fisheries Policy will be re-negotiated at EU level very soon. It is important that this House should make a contribution to the general debate on this area. Most of the fisheries organisations have made their submissions to the EU already and this is a good opportunity to redress the many problems in the Irish fishing industry. Many of our coastal communities have been decimated. We are an island nation with considerable natural resources that could be exploited if managed properly. It is important that views should be heard from all sides of this House on this issue. Irish fishermen deserve and need to be heard. They feel they have been sold out by past Governments, among which I include my own party because it, too, has been in power since the formation of the European Union.

This is a genuine opportunity to redress the imbalance Irish fishermen and coastal communities are suffering. I urge the Leader to allow adequate time for a good debate on this very important issue of national importance. It will generate jobs and reinvigorate our coastal communities. I hope the Leader can make time for this important debate before Christmas or early in the new year.