Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)

I support the motion put forward by my colleagues this evening. I recognise the contribution of the proposer of the motion, Senator Manus Boyle, who is the Fine Gael spokesperson on fisheries, in this area and the work that has been done my colleague, Senator Noel O'Donovan. Wexford is a very proud fishing county with a strong tradition of fishing, particularly in south Wexford, where we have the iconic Kilmore Quay, an area I recently had the opportunity to visit when I attended a mass commemorating those from County Wexford who were lost at sea. This motion makes a number of straightforward common-sense proposals. I urge the Minister of State to do his very best to make sure that each one of the commitments put forward in the motion is recognised and brought forward. The reality is that, for too long, our fishermen have felt their voice is not being heard at the top levels. That has to change. On behalf of fishermen in County Wexford, I urge the Minister of State to do his absolute best to make sure that voice is heard not just at Government level in this country, but in Brussels, in Europe and at the highest tables in the EU.

It is very important that our natural resources at sea are recognised for what they are, an Irish asset that cannot be abused by overseas trawlers from foreign waters coming into our waters and depleting assets that should be the inheritance of the next generation of fishermen here in this country. As with farming, if the next generation of fishermen and fisherwomen do not see this as a vital and crucial source of income, the industry will simply not exist. The industry is under the Minister of State's stewardship and I implore him to ensure sustainable measures are put in place now so that the next generation can take this up and so that the next generation in Kilmore Quay and other harbours across the country see it as a viable source of income.