Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will not question that. If the Minister says the Department has had those meetings, that is good enough. However, BIM has not met NIFA. The Minister in his statement said BIM works closely with the industry and all of the recognised representative groups in actively supporting the development of the sector including inshore. We would expect a meeting would have taken place since 31 January if it were actively communicating with NIFA, which is one of the main inshore organisations. The Minister's statement is contradictory.

As the Minister is aware, all inshore crew in Ireland have faced unprecedented hardships since the Covid pandemic through various market collapses, with losses of at least €10,000 each.

Since last November, things have got much worse with several processors closing their doors. When does the Minister plan to give financial aid to the inshore sector, as it is struggling to keep its head above water?