Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister hit the nail on the head when he mentioned the effect of oversupply on the market regarding the opportunity to make up for lost quota. From the second week in December up to two weeks ago boats were tied up unable to go to sea. As a consequence the boat owners, skippers and crewmembers had no income. As they are deemed to be self-employed they cannot get social welfare. Those who chose to go down that road find themselves waiting weeks if not months for it to be processed.

I have been to Kilmore Quay. We recommended setting up a mechanism allowing them direct access to the social welfare.

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