Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

The issue raised by Senator Ó Domhnaill is ironic. We are speaking about the privatisation of the fishing industry on a Europe-wide basis whereas over many years the Government in which he was involved privatised Irish quotas. Will the Minister examine this issue as it is within his remit? A total of 87% of the Irish quota is fished by 23 boats, mainly based in County Donegal as it happens. If this were to be redistributed in a more equitable fashion there would be more work in Rossaveal, Castletownbere, Dingle and other processing plants. Most of the fish caught by these ships is not processed in Ireland. This issue is completely within the Minister's remit as it concerns the Irish quota.

What options are available to us given the Europe-wide nature of the quotas? Under the Lisbon treaty have we handed over our power of veto on the individual transferable quotas issue? If Spain, Portugal and other countries gang up on us what can the Minister do? Ireland is a small country and we do not have many friends in Europe at present. Has the Lisbon treaty scuppered our chances to veto an issue such as this?

I am based in Connemara and I speak to fishermen every day. What is being done by officials in the Department to criminalise fishermen is scandalous and needs to be addressed immediately. It appears the way sanctions have been put in place by the Department regarding catches and paperwork criminalises people for making very small administrative mistakes.