Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)

I thank the witnesses for coming in today. It is particularly shocking to hear that bluefin tuna in our waters is being fished by other nations but because we have no proper quota the French and British vessels continue to fish for sea bass on our very doorstep but we have not been able to fish for them since the 1990s. Looking at that, and coming from a rural environment surrounded by the sea, it seems to me that we have lost generations of fishermen.

They have chosen other careers and pathways. Mr. Desmond spoke about moving forward, and how it is part of his blood and his soul. I come from an island where fishing was the heart of the community but that is not the case any more. I see this coming down the line. Culturally, it is as important as the arts to me. This is generational - family to family. The witnesses can trace their lineage back 300 or 400 years. That was part of my family's life at some point. It is discrimination of the highest order. The fishers are being discriminated against. Moving forward, we must look at it as part of our culture. We cannot allow this to go.

I will ask a few questions. Did the organisation feed into the new inshore fisheries strategy for 2024-2029? Does Mr. Desmond know why the publication has been delayed?