Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the remarks to the effect that a no-deal Brexit would have been a disaster for our coastal communities. We have been well-warned about the consequences of Brexit. Listening to some contributions, they make it sound simple. The negotiations in recent years by the Minister and his predecessors, Deputies Coveney and Creed, have not been simple.

The Minister mentioned a task force and getting the maximum value out of our fishing industry and coastal communities. I would like him to flesh out what he expects and wants and who will sit on such a task force, and making sure that processors and everybody involved in the fishing industry will be represented on that task force.

A question raised in my coastal community in Wexford is about scallop fishermen who were fishing off the southern coast of the UK. Up until now, they have been allowed to dock and land their scallops in the UK and transport them back to Ireland. Now they can land their boats in the UK but they have to go to UK-based processors. If they do not do so, they cannot land. That would mean they have to go to Belgium or such to get the scallops transported to Ireland. They are asking if there can be a derogation for that, otherwise they will have to steam back to Wexford and to other coastal communities here. What is proposed does not make sense. They are seeking a derogation. They also understand that there are other issues.