Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Is the Tánaiste aware that smaller Irish fishing vessels have rights over only 13% of the national fish quota? Fishing quotas are very unequally distributed and traditional fishing families are being squeezed out. For example, in 2018 a tier 1 boat could fish 437 tonnes, but now, due to penalties imposed for exceeding the quota, the allowance for that boat has been reduced to 70 tonnes. A tier 2 boat, allowed to fish 149 tonnes in 2018, has now had its allowance reduced to 24 tonnes. Fishermen should not be penalised for landing fish over the quota, because under EU regulations excess fish cannot be discarded at sea. However, under Irish law, the only way to land the exact quota is to discard the excess fish at sea. Will the Tánaiste explain why there are conflicting regulations in the EU and Ireland on how fishing vessels can land exact quotas? The pilot quota balancing scheme will squeeze the lifeblood out of small fishing villages and towns. What does the Tánaiste intend to do to ensure a fair system for all in the fishing industry? Will the Minister, who is present, meet those people who have been severely fined under this new regime?

See this speech in context