Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank the three IFA members for coming here.

We have heard about 2,000 direct jobs and 16,000 indirect jobs, and that there is the potential for those numbers to grow. Those jobs would be a huge contributor to the economy.

Let us consider the figures presented for 2012 to 2023 and tonnage was predicted to increase up to 81,000 tonnes. We have finished up with 29,000 tonnes so 52,000 tonnes less than what was predicted. It seems crazy that we have a sector that could expand so much yet finish with such a low number in a very short period. By 2020, production had further decreased and the IFA estimates that cumulative loss to the sector is estimated to be in excess of €570 million. Also, Mr. Mulloy has said: "The IFA estimates that Irish aquaculture could contribute over €500 million in direct farm gate income and a further €500 million in ancillary activity". That is a huge amount of money that seems to have been drained out of the economy.