Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Anything and everything that can be done to support the sector is being done. That is fighting and battling at European level and, indeed, working with the sector domestically to support it as well.

In terms of the fund at European level, that funding is earmarked for other things in the fishing sector but it can be turned into immediate liquidity. As I outlined earlier, I have a scheme in place for the whitefish sector, which ran from June until the end of November. I am assessing the associated challenges and pressures. If one draws down the funding then that means drawing funding which had been earmarked for other purposes and can go to other purposes in the fishing sector for immediate support now so it is means there is no funding for something else. That is a decision one must give strong consideration to before doing so.

Overall, fishers in the sector are really important to coastal communities and are really important for the coastal community in which I live. We must ensure that that situation continues and that is certainly my objective. If the Deputy has any proposals, policies or suggestions on ways to continue to support fishers then I am all ears. My approach has been to work with those who know and understand the industry best to develop shared and common strategies as to how we put our strongest effort forward to better the industry and support it.

I will continue to do that.