Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to join with others in congratulating Senator Mary Seery Kearney on all her championing and advocacy for surrogacy. Like so few in here, she was courageous, brave and bared her personal circumstances around the issue. That is not an easy thing to do; I have done it myself. There have been many disappointments and setbacks along the way, but she was always dignified. She gave witness to her campaign. She had personally walked that road and had that experience. That was potent, strong and powerful. She showed great skill as a parliamentarian and I genuinely want to salute her and say, "Well done" for sticking with it when it was not easy.Again and again, Senator Seery Kearney was back batting for the campaign. Her unique insight into her own story and that of her family recently on television was exceptionally moving. Well done and fair play to her.

Regarding fisheries, I raise the issue of our Minister is batting hard in Brussels today in respect of the fish quotas for our fishing community. The fishing and seafood industries do not get enough time on the floor of this House, and many of us represent fishing communities. Some will be aware that on the last day of this month, the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund runs out. However, there has been somewhat of an exception for An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM. There were some controversies around the funding that has gone from the Department of agriculture to BIM, which seems to be sitting with BIM, and the Minister is addressing some of those queries.

I ask that we have a focused debate on the fishing industry and the food industry very early in the new year. It is an area that we as an island nation need to concentrate on and keep our fair quotas. I wish the Minister well today as he hopes to expand the catchment and quotas, particularly for mackerel fish, in our Irish waters.