Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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I congratulate you on your new role, Chair. Following our briefing with the Minister of State the other day, I was quite excited about the potential of this committee. It is great to see the committee operating. There seems to be an emphasis from the Government that we will be able to push recommendations and really make a change in the area of fisheries and the marine.

My family was also involved in the marine, both in fisheries and the merchant navy. I am a marine biologist and I worked with the Marine Institute at one stage. I also spent quite a while in the aquaculture industry, which is an area I am keen to look at.

Our marine and fisheries have huge potential. We have a traditional connection with the marine in Ireland that we are starting to lose. We need to emphasise it again, particularly for coastal communities. Similar to other areas of the economy, a lot of big players in the industry are doing well but all the smaller ones are struggling. We need to focus on them.

As a fishery scientist and ecologist, I also want to bring this back into an environmental context. That is a key component.

In order to have a sustainable marine and sustainable fisheries, we need to work within that environmental context. We will never have a sustainable fisheries sector if we do not work within that. I think fishermen realise that. It is about working hand in hand with fishers to bring about sustainable practices.

As regards our environment and climate, we see a change in how we will be able to operate. We hear a lot about a just transition in the midlands. Similarly, there is a need for a just transition when it comes to fishers. We need to be cognisant of that, whether it is when we are talking about the wind sector or just the changing maritime and ecological conditions when it comes to fisheries. That needs to be a key component of this.

I look forward to the discussions and to working with all members.