Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

I am committed to doing an interview on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and I am watching the clock. I welcome those who are with us this morning, both here in person and online, giving an overview of the implications of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement of 19 May. Of course, that was heralded as being a very welcome agreement by all except the fishing sector. It has a great impact on the sector. While we were told early in the day the British fishing sector saw it as a negative, the converse of that was that it should be a positive. It is not a positive for us. The amount we have lost to date has been outlined by the spokespersons and it will be up to €1 million by 2038. That will have devastating implications for the industry. The Brexit adjustment fund, which was meant to be of assistance with capital of €30 million, is not sufficient. Some €110 million had to have been provided by matching funds by the sector and that is an indication of the type of sector. Many of those in the fishing sector are investing without any assistance whatsoever. The Cathaoirleach or Mr. Byrne can correct me if I am wrong that €230 million, or something of that nature, was returned to Europe. It was not taken advantage of. Those are not questions for Europe. Those are questions for the Irish Government and the Department and we will pursue those vigorously at our next meeting. As I said earlier, I point a finger at Michel Barnier who told me very clearly that Brexit would not have any implications for the fishing sector because trade and fish would be inextricably linked but that did not happen. We have lost as a result of that. It has been suggested that the Common Fisheries Policy may right all our wrongs but I am around too long to know that since the very first day there have been no changes policy. The cake has to be divided and if we are to get an extra 2% to 3%, others will oppose that vigorously. We do not have the power then or the voting strength at the Council of Ministers. By the same token, I believe the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, is totally committed. He hit the ground running, he is learning quickly and he will work closely with us to try to do his utmost to support the sector and try to reverse all of the wrongs that have been done.