We now have the required forum of four Members, including one Teachta Dála and one Seanadóir, and we will commence the meeting. I wish to advise Members to turn off their mobile phones as they will interfere with the sound and may have the effect of hiding their mellifluous voices when they start to speak. I have not received any apologies as of yet.
Business of Joint Committee
The joint committee went into private session at 2.08 p.m. and resumed in public session at 3.10 p.m.
Fishermen from Killybegs contacted the committee in the last number of days concerning a meeting that was held here previously to discuss what it takes to sustain rural communities. They indicated, along with the Irish fish producers, that they felt that there was an imbalance with regard to the witnesses that were present at that meeting. It is important to say that groups from both the north west and the south west were invited here, and we impressed on both groups the necessity to attend. However, only one individual came from the north west, and so there was an imbalance in terms of the witnesses that we had on the day.
It was also stated that the north west group from Killybegs did not feel that they were aware that the mackerel quota issue would be the issue for discussion. I feel that that is fair comment. The issue of the quota did, in my determination, come under the issue of what it takes to sustain a viable rural community and so therefore we proceeded with it. However, as a committee we should seek in future to give better prior notice to witnesses as to what exactly is going to be discussed.
It was also felt by the Killybegs fishermen that there were some inaccuracies discussed on that day. I will say that there were references to individuals, including Sean O'Donoghue. Mr. O'Donoghue was not in attendance to defend himself on that, and as a result those issues should not have been stated.
The joint committee went into private session at 3.12 p.m. and resumed in public session at 3.20 p.m.
Deputy Michael Collins took the Chair.