The next speaker is Deputy O'Rourke.

I am substituting for Deputy O'Rourke.

We have had no notice of that but go ahead.

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle. The Irish people have never recognised or accepted Britain's claim to Rockall. Tonight, without any real debate, the Irish Government, led by a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, will sign away Irish sovereignty and, with it, our historic fishing rights at Rockall. This is utterly shameful. At a time when the entire industry is fighting for its very survival, the action the Government is taking tonight will put the future of many fishing families on the line. We will not accept the ceding of Irish sovereignty to Britain. I am asking the Taoiseach to stand up for his country and intervene to stop this legislation going before the Oireachtas tonight. Rock on, Rockall, as the song says. It is the Taoiseach's time to do something about it.

That kind of sums up the shallowness of the Deputy's presentation. What he is saying is absolute rubbish. We are not ceding anything, particularly in respect of fishing rights. We are ceding nothing. It is just another game, is it not? It is just another slogan and just another approach, and it is consistent with the Deputy's approach on everything. I engaged with the fishermen of Ireland and their representatives. I am serious about it and I am going to do everything I possibly can to help fishers in this country. I am not going to be engaging in the silly, shallow sort of presentations that the Deputy engages in, pretending to be the friend of everybody but with absolutely zilch when it comes to substance on very serious matters that affect livelihoods. For God's sake, I think we need better than that.