Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise to again ask the Leader for a debate on the persecution of Christians throughout the world, which is a serious issue. There are many replicas of the incidence which occurred in Sydney. I believe in freedom of religion and the right of a person to be a Muslim, Jew, Baptist and so on. I have previously called for a debate on this issue in the House. A debate on this issue has never been more timely as we approach the Christmas season. However, I do not expect that the Leader will be able to provide for it prior to the recess.

I urge him to find time early in the new year when our schedules may not be as busy as they are this week to have a two-hour debate on the persecution of Christians, which is becoming a serious issue in many countries. It is an issue that we in this country should not ignore.

The Minister with responsibility for fisheries, Deputy Simon Coveney, will be away in the next few days at an annual event in Brussels negotiating quotas for next year. In this respect, every year our backs are to the wall. If we are to listen to and believe the concerns of the fishing organisations from Donegal to west Cork, there is deep concern about this. If the quotas suggested by Europe were to be imposed on this little country, we would lose 700 jobs, either directly or indirectly, in the fishing industry. It is an industry that has been under severe pressure in recent years, and some of the issues are historic. Will the Leader convey to the Minister our support from this House in the negotiations and ask him to be strong and fervent in support of the Irish fisherman? We have lost enough jobs in this industry. Our fishing fleet is about one third of what it was 30 years ago. We need the Minister to be very strong and to demand appropriate quotas for our Irish fishermen that are supported by science and the Marine Institute, which know where the weaknesses and the strengths are. I wish the Minister good luck but warn him that he will have to hold steadfast.