Mr. Enda Conneely:

I thank the Chairman and members of the committee. The Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, IIMRO, is an offshore, islands-based organisation representing members from counties Donegal, Mayo, Galway and Cork. IIMRO is a recognised EU producer organisation since February 2021. We are affiliated to the Low Impact Fishers of Europe, LIFE, and to Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, otherwise known as The Irish Islands Federation. Our members are predominantly small-scale, low-impact operators fishing from small boats, using local crews and supporting our island communities.

The offshore islands are dependent on fishing. More than 6% of the national fleet is made up of island boats, which is important considering islands only make up 0.03% of the population of Ireland. The importance of islands has been recognised at European level in the Common Fisheries Policy and the recently published European oceans pact. To date, this vision has not been delivered at national level. The trade and co-operation agreement between the EU and the UK, which is third country since Brexit, governs a lot of fisheries policy. The small-scale fleet segment is largely invisible in the agreement despite its social importance and low environmental impact, considering the small proportion of the overall fishing opportunities allocated to it. Europe handles negotiations, with Ireland having limited input into the final outcome. The recent trade and co-operation agreement has a long timeframe and, therefore, it is essential implementation is flexible in order that it can deliver on the aims of the agreement, particularly for the next generation of fishermen and women and island and coastal communities.

Brexit has affected all Irish fleet segments. The small-scale and inshore fleet segments did not benefit from the Brexit adjustment reserve, BAR, fund as these measures were moved to the national Exchequer. This had the negative consequence of falling under the limited de minimis funding rule for fisheries and which IIMRO opposed at the time.