Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I welcome the Minister of State back from Brussels. I heard him on "Morning Ireland" this morning. I say well done to him. We must praise the bridge as we cross it. Significant and important work was done. Nobody underestimated the task the Minister of State faced when embarked on the trip, I presume, on Sunday.

The news is good. It is very important we state we are happy with developments and initiatives. Much has been said about this industry. As I have done, Senator O'Donovan has spoken consistently about our area of the south west and communities which depend on fishing and marine activity for survival. I have said consistently in recent years that in terms of the economic challenge and the unemployment crisis facing this country, this is one of the areas that can actively encourage local, rural and coastal economies in particular. There is a tie in there in terms of marine tourism. From Kinsale to Dingle right along the south western seaboard, there is a huge natural resource on our doorstep and we need to maximise our potential.

The Minister of State will be very well aware of the Bord Iascaigh Mhara seafood development unit in Clonakilty. It is a wonderful facility which seeks to establish a very high quality product. It seems to diversify from the general perception of what is available in terms of the fish market and it looks at ways to promote and develop this area in conjunction with marine scientists, food scientists and those involved in the area. It is indigenous and local and it provides jobs. It also establishes a brand. Unashamedly, I will name a few brands such as Bantry Bay Premium Seafoods and Union Hall Smoked Fish.

I refer to the manner in which it subscribes to tourism activity in the area and the high end product that goes into restaurants and is exported abroad. We have built up a very good reputation in terms of an industry which is serious about what it does, job creation and the standards provided in our eateries and restaurants, etc.

A number of points were made about the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. One Member of this House would be more experienced than others on that and probably paid an electoral price as a result. The severity of the penalty was the issue. Nobody disagrees that we must preserve fish stocks and nobody agrees we should actively encourage illegal activity in any area. However, we must consider the offence proportionately. I did not use the word "crime", although under the interpretation of the Act, it would be criminal activity. However, one should consider what has happened in this country, including the cocaine haul off the west Cork coast in 2007. The drugs would probably never have been detected if somebody had not poured the wrong type of fuel into a generator. We should consider the criminality in the banking sector and ask how many people have been brought through the justice system. One can rightly understand the huge issues people have in regard to this.

We discussed this at the committee and considered the idea of administrative sanctions. What is the advice available to the Minister of State? Can other areas be considered? Is there a ray of light for people in the industry who have campaigned on this issue in recent years? In terms of violations of the Act, how many prosecutions and detections have there been? It would give the debate a bit of balance if we knew.

I welcome the quotas for whiting and haddock. In many respects, that was good work. It is very positive that Spanish fish like monkfish and hake have been unaffected. I very much welcome the increase in Celtic Sea herring. I believe that is as a result of efforts made by the Department, the Minister, the officials, people in the industry who have been working very hard to sustain an industry which has gone through very difficult times in recent years and the huge efforts made by fishermen in terms of rebuilding a stock and minding it.

I welcome the development in regard to mackerel. Has a decision been made on distribution? There has been good news but will it all go to massive operators in one part of the island to the detriment of others? We must bear in mind that many people depend on this industry who are on middle and low incomes. To win the first stage of the battle is very positive and welcome but if we do not distribute it properly, the extent of the success will be diminished. It is very important to make that point.

I express appreciation to the Minister of State and his officials who met a group of us in the last week of May prior to a trip to Brussels to the EU fisheries committee to discuss the Common Fisheries Policy, the imminent deadlines, reforms and the next stage of developments. It was very important to be briefed and to acquire knowledge.

I always found people involved in the fishing industry to be great educators. They are very passionate about what they do. Many of them believe the industry has been offered a very bad deal, particularly in recent years. Nonetheless, if we do our business properly, we can keep the industry alive. The results achieved in the past few days were achieved because of that joint effort and initiative.

I draw the attention of the Minister of State to the issue of administrative sanctions and ask for information on the numbers of violations and prosecutions. What template will be used to ensure a fair distribution of the mackerel quota?