Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Chairperson's two specific questions are around what can we do now based on a recognition of the difficulties this sector faces at European level. The first level of engagement, having met the Commissioner and then having had him come and meet the industry, was a really positive first step. The fact that it is central in his mind as to the impact it has and continues to have is part of it. The work I will be doing over the coming months and throughout the summer will be meeting with counterparts at European level. I have already met a number of them in my attendance at Council meetings. I am also organising bilateral meetings where I will visit other member states. In addition to what impact that might have in the context of the Council meeting, it is also part of a road show the Government is encouraging all Ministers to engage in to assist with our development of our programme for the Presidency, which will take place in the second-half of 2026. That is important work. The work of this committee is important too. When we had a briefing session with this committee I encouraged members to go to Brussels and meet with various interested parties. It feeds into what Senator Boyle was saying about lobbying. I do not mean this in a facetious way but members also have a role in that in terms of being present, both in Strasbourg and in Brussels on occasion, with delegations to meet counterparts at European level and to meet members of the European Parliament. It helps to continue to highlight the issues that we face.

On the additional funding and funding for harbours, I believe that this year we have €4 million for specific harbours outside our remit or control. It was €27 million overall and some of that was funding to the State-owned harbours but €4.1 million or €4.2 million was announced by the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and me earlier this year, which was then attributed to the various different applications. Applications come from local authorities. They are flagged in advance. We provide 80% funding for shovel-ready projects. The local authority has to have done some of its own work. We do not fund the environmental impact studies and all of that. We do not fund that aspect; we just fund projects that are ready to go. The local authority has to have made some headway in that regard.