Charles Ward (Donegal, 100% Redress Party)
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I thank all the witnesses for attending and apologise for running late. I was preparing some notes yesterday. We have 12% of EU waters, which we are currently fishing. The number of people we have in Europe is alarming for the size of our country. Somebody said that other countries would have 12 or 13 people representing the fishing industry directly in Brussels and we had very few in comparison. I will read something out that really sums it up. In 2013, the Faroe Islands increased their own allowances of herring by 229%. In 2021, the Faroe Islands and Norway raised their mackerel quotas with the agreement of the EU. Since then, there has been a constant call within Europe for this to be looked at, especially from Ireland, which is most reliant on mackerel. In 2024, the UK signed an agreement with Norway and the Faroe Islands, dividing 70% of the mackerel quota between them all, without involving the EU. If they can do it, what is stopping us from doing it? We are being held to ransom here.

I will move on to my questions. I am aware of the cut that is coming. I am aware of the 70% quota cut, which is particularly tough for the fishing industry in Ireland, as it is already pinned to its collar.

One of my first questions for anybody who wants to take it concerns towns near us in Killybegs. We suspect there might be a 50% quota. What will that do to the fishing industry in Killybegs? I would like anyone who has any experience of this in Castletownbere or other towns to outline what effect such a change will have. We are already put to the pin of our collar. From a business point of view, 70% is a death knell.