Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. I compliment my colleagues Senators Boyle and O'Donovan for leading on the motion. I will not, like Senator Paul Daly, say that I am on a coastline or anything like that. I am a County Roscommon man but I understand the impact of certain sectors on rural communities, and I do not believe it is too late to be making changes. Looking back, we can always think of a time when it might have been a better decision but the next best time is right now, and that is what this motion is leading to. I highlight that the seafood economy is worth in the region of €1.24 billion in terms of GDP. Behind that headline are almost 17,000 men and women employed directly or indirectly in fishing, aquaculture, processing and the wider seafood chain. This is not a niche sector in our coastal communities. Bord Iascaigh Mhara's analysis shows that the seafood industry accounts for approximately 6% of all jobs in coastal areas, rising to as high as 14% in some of the most fishing dependent communities. In the main ports, over 8,700 jobs are supported and an estimated €736 million is generated for the economy each year. For many towns and villages, if fishing slows, everything slows. These are overwhelmingly indigenous family-owned businesses, local boat owners, small processors, ice plants, hauliers, engineers, net makers and co-ops that keep money circulating on the pier and on the high street. If those enterprises fail, there is no multinational waiting in the wings to replace them. What follows is out-migration, empty harbours and closed school gates. I acknowledge the Government's investment under the fishery harbour and coastal infrastructure development programme but for most indigenous fishing businesses the reality is that they are trying to survive with a squeeze from every direction.ICES scientific advice points towards quota reductions in key stocks. The costs of fuel, insurance and compliance are all climbing, as my colleagues have said. At the same time, international agreements have allowed third countries increased access to the waters around Ireland. We are particularly concerned where third countries, including Norway, seek quota shares and set total allowable catches that do not align with ICES advice. That is not responsible stewardship of shared stocks and it does not treat the EU or Ireland as an equal partner.

I acknowledge that I am sharing time with Senator Cathal Byrne but I will just say that protecting Ireland's indigenous fishing businesses is about much more than defending our coastal interests. It is about keeping coastal communities alive, sustaining local enterprise and ensuring that the wealth of our seas translates into real lasting security for the people who have depended on it for generations.