Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an díospóireacht a bheidh sa Teach ar an Déardaoin ar an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge agus todhchaí na Gaeilge taobh amuigh agus taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht. Ba mhaith liom imní iomlán a chur in iúl. While I welcome the opportunity to have a debate on the Irish language on Thursday, I object vehemently to the position being taken by the Government not to afford any longer an opportunity to people living in the Gaeltacht areas to vote for board members of Údarás na Gaeltachta. The Government, which is in office for just three months, is already cancelling the opportunity of the people to have a democratic voice. We fought for over 800 years for the opportunity to have democratic institutions within this State, yet a new Government, less than three months in power, is deciding at Cabinet level, without consulting the people, that there will be no elections to elect community representatives to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta. I oppose this step vehemently. I was planning to table an amendment to the Order of Business today on this matter but will instead give the Leader an opportunity to hear the discussion on Thursday. What is being done represents a retrograde step. The 86,500 people who live in Gaeltacht areas are being denied the opportunity of a vote, and this is wrong. As a democrat, I hope the new Government will reflect on the stance it has taken over the past week.

The fishing industry is worth approximately €800 million in exports and domestic sales to the economy. The industry is crucial to the future recovery of the country and is an integral part of the Food Harvest 2020 report. Last week I called for a debate on the fishing industry. I hope the Leader will see fit, in the next week or ten days, to have a debate on the fishing industry because a vital meeting of the Fisheries Ministers is taking place on 27 and 28 June in Europe at which the future of the Common Fisheries Policy will be discussed.

As an add-on to the debate on the fisheries sector, I ask that we have an opportunity to discuss with the Minister a compensation scheme for fishermen who lost gear and pots off the Irish coast over the past month or so. Damage amounting to tens of thousands of euro was caused to fishing equipment. Many of the affected fishermen cannot afford to return to the waters without some compensation from the Minister.

While we are having a debate with the Minister, which is vital, it is important that we invite Commissioner Damanaki to the House in order that all Members would have an equal opportunity to debate with her the future of the Common Fisheries Policy.