Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second Senator O'Brien's amendment.

I ask the Leader for a debate on the fishing industry as soon as possible. I was glad to see the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, in the House yesterday for the debate on the whole area of the Common Agricultural Policy. It was a welcome debate. The fishing industry is forgotten in Ireland, particularly the white fish industry from Rossaveal to Dingle and Castletownbere. There is a huge issue about quota for white fish. Some fishermen have said publicly that to operate within the quotas and limits as set out in law is almost impossible. I have asked for a debate on the fishing industry on a number of occasions. Earlier in the year the Minister was very involved in his work as a European Union Minister during the Irish Presidency. We only think about the fishing industry when there are disasters such as the Tit Bonhomme, when the media and politicians focus on it but for the rest of the year, unless there is another tragedy, the industryand the problems it faces are forgotten. It is a difficult task. We should realise that we are coming to a stage where ports such as Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere and Dunmore East, which deal primarily in white fish, will become obsolete and soon the largest port will be Cork airport where there is a huge input of fish from Iceland and so on. This is a European as well as a national issue. When we had our economic problems and sought the bailout, the European Union was quick to set out financial parameters within which we had to live. As a beleaguered countrywhere fleets from Spain and France come in and rape our seas of fish, amounting to billions of euro over the years, Ireland's quota and right to extra quota must be seriously examined. I will not move an amendment today but I will go hell for leather on this issue in a couple of weeks time and will move amendments, day in and day out, until such time as the Minister comes to the House. I was promised a debate several months ago but I let the matter rest. As we approach to the December negotiations we need an urgent debate on the fishing industry, particularly the white fish industry, which I understand is in crisis. I hope the Leader will concede to my demands next month.