Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom tacú leis an rún atá curtha chun tosaigh ag an Seanadóir O'Donovan i dtaca le cúrsaí iascaireachta agus na deacrachtaí atá ag iascairí na tíre seo, go háirithe iad siúd bhíonn ag díriú ar iasc geal.

I support Senator O'Donovan's comments on the fisheries sector's difficulties. We have debated the Common Fisheries Policy, but it does not address many of the issues surrounding quotas. It is dreadful to think that foreign fishing vessels can enter our waters and catch a fish species when our boats cannot and are tied up due to quota restrictions. The Minister must do something. He cannot continue to blame the EU. There must be bilateral agreements or a mechanism through which our boats can continue to fish when the species are present. I hope that Senator O'Donovan's amendment will be accepted.

An féidir leis an gCeannaire díospóireacht a eagrú ar an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge? Is beag dul chun cinn atá déanta i dtaca leis an straitéis sin. Ba mhaith liom go mbeadh an tAire Stáit ar fáil anseo sa Teach chun an ábhar seo - an easpa dul chun cinn i dtaobh an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge - a phlé go mion.

Senator Mulcahy and others raised the issue of the €3.4 billion in funding for NGOs. Since every other sector of society has taken a reduction in the current economic climate, we must review and debate this situation. We should examine strategically funding for NGOs, given its substantial level.

A similar issue is that of top-up funding for public servants, including hospital consultants and managers. It is not exclusive to them, though, as ministerial advisers have been given top-ups as well. The public lacks faith. Visitors to local hospitals try to purchase goods in their shops or pay car parking charges so as to support them. Now we are finding out that money is going to subvent salaries. It is unacceptable. We need to know what level of knowledge the Government had of these top-ups.

I missed the Order of Business yesterday due to a meeting in the Houses. I pay my best wishes to our colleague, Senator Harte, following his tragic circumstances. We wish him a speedy recovery. He is a good colleague and it is a difficult time for him, his wife, Mary, and their family. He is in our thoughts and our prayers.

I welcome Jody Blake back. It is great to see her and I wish her well. She will keep us all in check.