Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator Denis O'Donovan's position in challenging the European Commission's proposal to reduce the fishing quota available to Ireland next year. The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Simon Coveney, will attend the Fisheries Council which will be held on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next at which he will represent the country and fight for a more equitable quota. In monetary terms, the reductions proposed to the mackerel quota on the pelagic side and the prawn and whitefish quotas would cost the fishing and processing sector approximately €70 million. If implemented, these outrageous proposals will result in the direct loss of between 400 and 500 jobs, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara. I wish the Minister well next week and do not propose to call for a debate on the issue as he is busy. However, the Seanad must send a clear message that we are not happy with the European Commission. The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine sent a similar message yesterday. The Commission has bowed before the Faroe Islands and Iceland by allowing them to illegally fish in waters off the north-west coast of Europe at the expense of the Irish fleet. I ask that the Seanad agree to send such a message today.

The issue of wind energy has been raised again this morning. Outrageous developments in the wind energy sector are the scandal of our time, one which is costing taxpayers colossal amounts of money. In England, for example, wind turbines are being erected that can only generate energy valued at £5 per month. These turbines are being grant funded through electricity bills. Similarly, the sector is being funded in Ireland through various schemes run by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland and two major funding schemes operated by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, namely, the alternative energy requirement programme and REFIT scheme. Capital allowances and tax write-offs are also available. The system is a farce and does not make sense. We must also take account of local concerns about wind energy. The renowned economist, Professor Gordon Hughes, has been writing on the issue.