Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Aontaím go bhfuil géarghá i ndáiríre le plé iomlán ar thionscal na hiascaireachta agus tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanfar sin i gcomhthéacs na gcomhráití faoin gComhbheartas Iascaireachta.

I agree that we need a debate on the fishing industry but it needs to be broader than the CFP. I agree with my colleagues who raised the issue. It would be good to get an update on it, but I do not know how practical that will be given that the negotiations concluded last night. We need to examine how quotas are being divided in the State. We have said a number of times that if quotas were rebalanced in a more equitable fashion we could create more employment along the coasts. I welcome the commitment from the Leader that he will try to bring the Minister to the House to have a full debate on the fisheries industry, and how we can keep it vibrant and bring more young people into it.

An issue arose yesterday at the Joint Committee on Education and Skills. A senior official said the value for money audit of small schools is complete and on the desk of the Minister for Education and Skills. It is the first time that has been stated officially. If that is the case, it is to be welcomed because we have waited for two years. It will have a huge impact on rural schools. I call on the Minister for Education and Skills to come to the House for a debate on the future of rural schools.

The report should be published immediately in order that its recommendations and implications are taken on board in the run-up to the discussions on the budget. We do not want to have another budgetary decision made without having read the report in full and taken its serious budgetary implications on board in terms of the impact of changes to pupil-teacher ratios on rural schools, the loss of posts and the effect on the surrounding community. Such a debate would be very useful.