Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Cathaoirleach and congratulate him and all those on the committee on their appointment. I am looking forward to working with them on an ongoing basis. I have already provided the committee with a written statement. I do not intend to go through it word for word. I will give a brief overview as an introductory point and then we can try to answer questions that arise. I spent much time on the other side of the fence here, so I know it can be somewhat frustrating when witnesses take all their time reading prepared statements. Members have it and can work from there.

This Government is committed to the maritime sector, which is why the Taoiseach and Tánaiste, in the programme for Government, have established the role that I am privileged to occupy, which is really about trying to create a virtual Department of the marine and bringing together all aspects of the sector that have been broken up over recent years from a point 15 years ago when we had a full Department of the marine. There are aspects within the Department of agriculture, particularly fisheries, that are central to that. In the Department of climate are the areas of marine planning, marine protection and marine environment. My role is to try to co-ordinate all of that from a regulatory and policy perspective and also with regard to the implementation of the plans that the Government has for the seafood sector and offshore renewable opportunities and to make good on our commitments relating to marine protected areas. While that is not the subject of today's meeting, I wanted to put that as part of the opening discussion about the Government's commitment and what it seeks to do. I am happy to answer any questions on that either now or later.

Regarding the subject matter that the committee wants me to talk about, specifically the EU-UK trade agreement and the implications for the fishing industry, I am conscious that the fishing industry suffered a hammer blow with the advent of Brexit. It is well recognised that, over the next ten to 12 years, it will have an impact to the tune of about €1 billion on the processing sector and about €800 million on the catching sector. While the Brexit adjustment fund that was provided by the EU and the Government has been a significant instrument in assisting the industry to pivot beyond the impact of Brexit, I have no doubt that the industry still has a considerable way to go in meeting the exacting demands that were brought about as a result of the loss of that quota. I am mindful of that, as is the Department, in all our actions. In my significant engagement with the sector since my appointment, I have seen resilience and recognition that failure is not an option, and the sector proposes to continue to work ahead.