James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Connick. He has had a hectic few hours and I thank him for his hard work on this issue. Quota for the fishing industry has been a hot topic for the past number of decades because there is a sense we are missing out on a potentially great opportunity going back to when we acceded to the European Union. In many respects, that ship has sailed and we must deal with the reality of how the Minister of State is dealing with issues. Senator O'Donovan has a wide variety of issues he wishes to raise.

The final agreement that was announced will deliver quotas that are a substantial improvement and a substantial investment in local economies around the country. The prawn industry is a major one for many people. Many other elements are concerned. I wholeheartedly welcome the 10% increase in quota for the mackerel industry and the two thirds share of the boarfish industry for Irish fishermen. I have been in the House for 12 months but the Minister of State has been a Deputy for three years and is now doing a very good job as a Minister of State. I can imagine how difficult it is to negotiate with hard-nosed negotiators across the Continent. It has never been a more pertinent issue. The agriculture and fishing industries can make a difference to the economy and can set in place the foundations for the economy to turn around. These two areas, coupled with tourism, cannot be copied anywhere else in the world. They are unique to Ireland. We must work with our colleagues in member states but we must be selfish on this point and focus on where we are going in the future.

I welcome the increase in haddock and whiting stocks in the Celtic Sea. In many areas there is grave concern about the reduction, as outlined in the recovery plan, for these stocks. We must consider where we are going as a country and how we will market these. I have met fishermen in Clogherhead, County Louth and one of the issues they raised with me, which is linked to the IFA and the farming community, is the feeling we have that the Irish product is a good quality product widely respected throughout the world. However, this is not necessarily the case. I discovered this through some international dealings I have had. It will be key for the budget and the national recovery plan to make an effort to market ourselves with our best foot forward across the world. This is a matter for beef farmers and others who regard themselves as sellers of food stock on the export market. This will make a difference to the economy.

I am sure the Minister of State will be able to articulate the various issues that arise. It is good to highlight the good news about the boarfish and the difference it will make to the economy and the industry. Other elements will affect where we are going with allowable catch and where this can be achieved. So much science is now brought to bear on this compared to the early 1970s and the 1980s in respect of what our fleet can catch and what it is possible to achieve. The scientific research by the industry and other elements focuses on this. We have an opportunity to open a new fishing stake in this industry, particularly in respect of boar fishing, as referred to by the Minister after the successful outcome of the negotiations. Any new revenue stream is good news and we must focus on this.

In this House we are talking about job creation and job retention day in, day out and it is the number one objective for all of us as we approach the general election next year and as we are laying out the plans for the next four or five years. The Minister of State, Deputy Connick, is building on one element of this and it is key that we build a sustainable fishery based on this stock.

When talking to different fishing communities, different plans are being drawn up around the country. The Louth economic forum is focused on a nine-point plan on job creation in County Louth. One of the points concerns agriculture and fisheries, which will involve close work with the Minister of State, but also the marketing end of things to attract people to fishing communities. Last August, the Clogherhead prawn festival took place and there was a great marketing aspect to it. We attracted a major number of visitors to sample the local quality food produced, harvested, brought ashore and sold in the community. We should focus on this as a tool for the fishing industry all around the country. One element is catching fish and selling it but also marketing it to communities. This is particularly true when one sees the major sales pitch made in Europe when particular cities are designated the main port or heartland for a particular country or part of the Continent. This is something on which we, as a nation, a Government and a community, can focus. It is a development I would welcome throughout the country.

There are issues in Carlingford and at Port Beach in the north east. I have had dealings with fishermen who have struggled in the past 12 to 24 months because of the catch allowed and the costs involved in being a fisherman compared to a number of years ago. They consider they are being regulated and chased out of employment. This is the key issue I would like the Minister of State to address, if he can. They consider competition from fishermen from other countries is not as tightly regulated and there are not as many obligation on them. They have significant quotas and are eating into the market. Issues also arise in the case of non-EU countries.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House after such a long day. I know he could have sent somebody else and appreciate the fact that he has taken the time to come. I look forward to listening to Senator O'Donovan's contribution and formally second the motion proposed by him.