Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I compliment Senator O'Donovan on tabling the motion. He is a great champion of the fishing industry. He always brings these issues to the forefront of the Seanad. As someone who thought his children to fish in Bantry Bay, I am sure he is well acquainted with most of the good fishing spots there. He has shown that he has a great interest in the industry.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Connick, and his officials who appear to have been successful in what they have achieved in this round of negotiations on fishing quotas in Brussels. It is always a difficult task because the European Union is constantly pulling towards a reduction in quotas and monitoring the sustainability of the fishing industry. It can be difficult for a Minister to return home from such negotiations, especially if there have been significant cuts in quotas.

As the Minister of State and I are both based in County Wexford, we very much understand the importance of the fishing industry not only to that county but to the rest of the country. It is important, therefore, that we look after the interests of fishermen, those dependent on the fishing industry and protect the sustainability of the industry into the future. I hope a balance has been struck in Brussels on this occasion and that we will continue to have a successful fishing industry in County Wexford and other coastal communities into the future.

A number of issues raised every time we discuss the fishing industry remain outstanding. They relate to how other countries implement EU law on fishing. A number of Senators have said fish caught in excess of the quota or included in the protected species list are often dumped by fishermen at sea to avoid having to face penalties and fines. That is a waste of a significant resource and there must be another way around this problem. The European Union must accept that if one throws a net from the back of a huge trawler, one cannot selectively direct fish in and out of it. There must be a fairer way of addressing the issue. This is one of the few countries in which fishermen found to be fishing illegally are liable to criminal prosecution. We constantly need to return to the issue of fairness in this respect. Fishermen can be fined for catching fish in excess of their quota.

As the Minister of State well knows, the fishing industry is probably one of the most regulated. I do not believe there is a boat that comes into Kilmore Quay or any other port in the country which a fisheries protection officer does not board to check the logbook of its skipper. There must be other ways to deal with an extra box of monkfish or a protected species rather than by way of the draconian measures currently applied.

We are lucky to have a great fishing industry in County Wexford where there are fantastic fish shops and fish restaurants. One need not restrict oneself to having sole on the bone or cod. I have often found that if one is prepared to be adventurous, one can obtain outstanding value when purchasing fish in shops in County Wexford. I am sure the same applies to shops in the rest of country. We can promote the eating of fish, but we should also promote diversity in the fish species available in our shops and restaurants in order that people will be encouraged to eat fish which is both healthy and tasty.

I say once again to the Minister of State, "Well done." I hope in the years ahead we will continue to have a successful fishing industry.