Mark Duffy (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for being here this evening for this very important discussion on supporting the fishing industry, which is holding on by a thread in certain communities. I compliment Senators Manus Boyle and Noel O'Donovan, who have done great work in representing fishermen and fisherwomen and coastal communities right across the country, for their leadership on this issue.

With regard to my home county of Mayo, I will specifically raise the issue of the hook and line-caught mackerel quota, which is affecting many families and the industry in the coastal communities of County Mayo. It is the same in every community. It is multigenerational. There is history, heritage and a huge depth of knowledge of the waters, of the industry and of the practice. The hook and line-caught mackerel quota is only 1% of the overall quota Ireland has got from the EU. That 1% is shared out among 1,500 vessels while the remaining 99% of the quota is shared among 50 vessels. The fishermen I have spoken to are totally aggrieved by this. They are pleading the case for this quota to be increased in whatever way it can be. If they do not use the quota, they are happy for it to be returned. I understand there are complexities.

I really welcome this motion as a demonstration that the House is strong in its support for the fishing industry right across the country. Let us project that support to our European counterparts on a united basis. We need to be very strong on it. We need to fight for multigenerational families who feel left out and aggrieved by the issues that have been mentioned. Article 17 of the Common Fisheries Policy regulation states that quotas should be shared out on a sustainable basis. In fairness, the hook-and-line fishermen are sustainable in their practices. This is a lifeline for families and for rural communities. There is a great depth of history to it. It needs help and support. An increased quota for these fishermen in Erris and right across the coast of County Mayo would result in a marked improvement in their livelihoods and for the successive generations that rely on this income.

I thank the Minister of State for his work on this. I also thank my colleagues across the House who have advocated very strongly on this pressing issue and the need to support the industry. As I have said, we need a united voice from the House so that we can fight the case internationally on behalf of families and communities right across the island.