Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support what Senators Lombard and Kyne said about sending of animals to slaughter that are in calf. I strongly support the strong sentiments expressed by both Senators.

I would like to raise an issue that concerns fishing. We have received a communication from the public on the fishing industry over the past number of days and, in particular, the overfishing by huge trawlers from Belgium and Spain, and the effects that it is having on our seas and inland fisheries. It has been pointed out to us that salmon stocks have declined by 90% and there was a time when 1.7 million salmon returned to Ireland annually but now that figure is now 150,000. That shows the effect that overfishing is having on the salmon industry. The disappearance of herring from our fish stocks as well is a great worry.

I ask for a very serious debate to be arranged for the next term on the fishing industry comprising, both inland fisheries and sea fisheries. We should also invite the relevant Minister and experts because there is a very strong case to be made to the EU on fishing. We are in a time where people are saying people should not eat meat but eat fish and we also have a declining fish stocks all over our waterways. It is also a worrying time for the fishing industry. Therefore, I think this House would be an ideal place to hold such a debate in the not too distant future.