Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. He is doing a phenomenal job trying to increase employment in the fishing industry and engaging with Europe as proven by his successful negotiations, on our behalf, last December. I have no doubt that he will return with good results this December. We are all concerned about the potential cut in quotas and wish him well in his endeavour.

I thank the Opposition for tabling the Bill and bringing the matter to the attention of the House. The Minister is well aware of the issues. It is worth pointing out again, although I do not like to revisit the past, that the existing sanctions were introduced by Deputy Noel Dempsey when he was a Minister. The legislation tries to tidy up and recognises, in the House, the damage that has been done and that fishermen were criminalised. The Government is committed to tidying up the matter. The Minister is committed to sorting out the problem and will bring forward legislation.

I do not blame the Opposition for using Private Members' time to highlight the issue because I have no doubt that they are extremely embarrassed by their past actions while in government. I do not blame the Senators but I blame their party and its leadership who facilitated the sanctions.

I agree with a lot of the sentiments expressed by all Members, including Members across the floor, particularly on processing issues. I would like to see a lot more jobs in the fish processing sector. We could create thousands of jobs if we processed the fish caught off our shores and exported a somewhat finished product as opposed to just exporting the fish.

The Minister comes from an area that has a proud fishing tradition and I refer to Crosshaven and all along the Cork coast. I have no doubt that he is committed to maximising the return from fish caught off our shores. I am sure that he will correct me if I am wrong but I think just over 1% GDP is generated by fishing. That figure should be a lot higher for an island. Fish is one of our natural resources that needs to be maximised. Successive Governments have failed to invest in the fishing industry or actively support job creation initiatives. I would go as far as to say that we need a tax incentive scheme. The term "tax incentive scheme" are dirty words to some because of what went on for the 14 years when Fianna Fáil was in government but they should not be. We should examine the introduction of tax incentives in order to encourage proper processing and promote fish related industries. It would mean that fish caught off our shores could be brought to our shores for processing as opposed to travelling to France and other areas.

Ireland must play to its strengths in agriculture, the fishing industry, dairy exports and so on. The fish sector merits a significant concentration, investment and, if needed, tax breaks to increase the 1% GDP to 3% GDP. Thousands of jobs could be created if we go about it right. I wish the Minister well in his endeavours, particularly in the negotiations due to take place next month.