Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

I welcome the debate and concur with many of the points made by the previous Senators. Some of them were made at the presentation yesterday by Iascairí Intíre Éireann and the seafood producer groups. I hope the Minister will not follow in the footsteps of previous Administrations, because we have seen a very lopsided approach to the distribution of quota in this country over recent years. It is difficult to see what benefit has accrued from this to the country because a small number of huge ships have taken much of the mackerel quota, decimating the smaller fishing industry along our coast in the process. Even a slight adjustment would do, as Senator Comiskey mentioned, which would create a livelihood for many people on smaller boats along the west coast, who will land in the Republic of Ireland and keep fish producers and factories working. There is much evidence pointing to that.

I echo the calls with regard to the Celtic Sea, and the Minister might consider changing the proposals per boat of a 5% catch over recent years to something like 35% of quota in the past two or three productive years. That benchmark should be used for active fishing boats in those areas in order that the people really fishing the Celtic Sea would get the benefit.

Is it possible to consider a derogation for the inland fishermen who have boats smaller than 50 m long, as suggested by the TASTE Council? It could be like an artisan fishing fleet, so the smaller boats can fish all species within a number of miles of the shore. That would rejuvenate rural communities throughout the country and bring in jobs that we need. We must consider the overfishing of lobster, which was also highlighted.

I congratulate the Minister on granting licences for mussel farming in Killary Harbour. The policing of the licensing regime has been raised, as well as administrative sanctions in the Fisheries Acts. It is essential that the issue is revisited in order not to criminalise fishermen around our shores. Tá neart ceisteanna eile a chuirfinn dá mbeadh níos mó ama agam ach, faraoir, sin sin.