David Norris (Independent)

This is a very positive day. We usually have confrontation in this House and very silly nitpicking amendments are tabled. I congratulate Senator O'Donovan for having the foresight to table this important motion which gives us an opportunity to welcome the Minister of State's work. I also compliment Fine Gael because I am sure there must have been a temptation to play the usual game. However, its Members have shown generosity and broadness of spirit. The only thing I would say is I would be inclined to amend the motion which reads:

That Seanad Éireann supports the Government in their endeavours to improve fish quotas for Irish Fishermen in light of the annual review due this week; and supports the Minister and Government in their negotiations in the review of the common fisheries policies.

We have happily been overtaken by events. I would, therefore, change the wording to "congratulates the Minister on the success he and his team have had in Brussels". It is not an unqualified success, as there are small areas around the edges in respect of which some questions can be raised. It is very good to achieve this kind of result. I heard the Minister of State speak on the wireless this morning and took the opportunity to congratulate him in the corridor earlier. It was remarkable that the representative of the fishing industry, Ms Eileen O'Sullivan, was very clear in her view. One tends to expect confrontation in these areas also, with the emphasis on what we did not get and on the fact that things should have been better. However, she was very measured and positive and supportive of the the Government on the position it had taken.

I will give one example which may have been given already. Senator Mooney spoke eloquently about his enjoyment of sole, a very nice fish but nothing against the prawn, one of the great ornaments of the Irish marine world and the plate in good restaurants. What we achieved in that area was remarkable. I understand the initial proposal was that there be a 15% decrease in the prawn catch which has been whittled down to 3%.