Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to voice my concern in the wake of the unilateral decision by the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to withdraw from the London agreement. It definitely sent shock waves around the community of Irish fishermen and generates fear about the future of Brexit negotiations. Potentially, in a worst-case scenario the fishermen are facing being shut out of particular waters which are profitable for them at present and also competing with UK fishermen who will not be constrained by quotas. The Minister described it in terms of the hand the UK has with regard to fisheries, as opposed to many other sectors. It appears to me to be quite strong. The UK has many strong cards to play and I understand why Irish fishermen would be very concerned about how they will fare into the future and post Brexit. There is a rightful concern that the overall priorities of the European Union will not be significant casualties of this. I am heartened by the Minister's breakdown of the coalition of like-minded countries and so forth. As an earlier speaker said, much is unknown. However, we must steer the ship, so to speak, in the right direction and be flexible to achieve the right result.

The Minister mentioned trying to protect fisheries in the context of the overall wider negotiations. Member states have different cards and the UK will be looking for things in other areas, so we must ensure we strike the best deal we can. However, I have some questions about the wider negotiations. My colleague, Senator Lombard, mentioned the report of the Seanad select committee on the consequences of Brexit and possible solutions, which will have been presented to the Minister. Undoubtedly, regardless of what happens, Brexit will mean a diminishing or weakening of our position in the case of fisheries and many of our other trade sectors. It is not good news. The issue is how we can support fishermen in this case. I do not know how they might diversify. The Minister referred to displacement. What cushion can be put in place for fishermen in view of the shortfall?

In that context, one of the suggestions in the report was a temporary framework for state aid rules. Such a framework does not simply happen overnight. As we face into negotiations, is this one of the Minister's or the Government's priorities? We need fiscal space to provide the financial assistance that fishermen and other sectors will require, especially our small and medium enterprises, SMEs. However, that fiscal space can be constrained because we are operating under the fiscal compact rules. Is there an intention on the part of the Government to seek a derogation from that to give us more flexibility to provide money to support the sectors, particularly the fishermen who will need to be supported as we move forward? They are facing a real problem. In my view they stand out more than many other sectors. In many other sectors we are speculating, but the consequences are very stark for fishermen.

I realise the Minister, his team and the Government are doing their best and trying to get the best they can for fishermen and, indeed, all our trading sectors. Perhaps the Minister will comment on a temporary framework for state aid rules. Such a framework was put in place at the time of the banking crisis, so there is precedent. How will we get more money to spend on supporting fishermen and on initiatives that will ease the situation and provide a cushion for them? Any derogation from EU rules appears to take a long time to come into being. Is that being considered in the overall Brexit negotiations?