Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

Without taking away from the seriousness of the banking and financial crisis in this country, I ask the Leader to have a debate on the fishing industry as a matter of urgency. This was promised to me in May 2009. Stringent new requirements of the Department of Transport mean 33 fishing vessels in Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere, Union Hall or Dunmore East will be tied to piers at a loss of 150 jobs. Fishermen and farmers along the coast did not gain much from the economic boom in this country. They toiled and went out in bad weather and some lost their lives over the past number of years. I hope they will not suffer in the decline. They are looking for very little.

Regulations require people to spend up to €100,000 on vessels worth no more than €10,000 or €15,000. What is valuable to these vessels is a fishing licence, which is worth a substantial figure up to €150,000. The Minister told me the Department of Transport regulations must be enforced. There is a code of practice. These daytripping vessels go out at 6 a.m. or 7 a.m., subject to weather, and return at night. They are supporting indigenous fishing families along the coastline. Fishermen are a quiet race and rarely protest outside this House. However, they are suffering and I ask that we have a debate on the fishing issue, including the Common Fisheries Policy that will be signed off in Europe in the next short while. The critical issue is fishing vessels between 15 m and 18 m. As of midnight, they will not be allowed to fish and this affects 33 families, most of whom are involved in family run businesses. I feel very strongly for them. These people are entitled to fair play and fair procedures at the same time as we have debates on major economic issues. If fishermen and farmers in this country are unable to work or progress, the situation facing this country will be much sadder.