Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Cathaoirleach, and all colleagues across and staff across the House a happy Christmas and peaceful new year.

I welcome the deal done overnight in Brussels on the fisheries quotas, which is a good deal. We were concerned prior to this deal being done that quotas for Irish fishermen would be cut. However, many of the fisheries quotas have been increased, including the prawn quota, which is up by 6%, and the mackerel quota. This will be of particular interest to the people along the west coast with whom I have spoken over the past year on fisheries issues, in particular small fishermen. I often compare small fishermen to small farmers. They go out on the sea in difficult times. It is a difficult life for them. It is important that the quotas are maintained and that they are looked after. It is important also that the issue of disregards be addressed, which I know the Minister is working on. I believe it will be abolished at EU level during the next year. This increase in quotas will result in more jobs in the fishing industry. Some 20 jobs were recently created in Galway as a result of the quota increase for small fishermen. It is a good news story for the fishing sector.