Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As it was not raised in any great detail by other Members, I will reply to the fishing points.

I have had a lot of engagement, including as late as yesterday, with representatives of the fishing industry. The Deputy is correct in his analysis that there is a challenge whether one is an inshore or offshore fisherman. We have been granted a freedom to reallocate European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, EMFF, funding. The problem is that there is not a lot of funding under EMFF that is not previously committed. We are looking, however, at the opportunity to do something for the sector. I appreciate it is a question of doing it as soon as possible. I have had much engagement on this.

On the point about imports to the European Union, I alluded to it earlier that we export to 180 different countries. If we ban imports, those countries to which we export may well say they do not want our exports either. We need to be extremely careful. I have spoken to the Commissioner about the issue of imports to see if there were legal instruments available to us in certain circumstances. I am advised there are not.

A similar point was alluded to previously about the renationalisation of markets. If fish from Dingle was on its way to the Spanish market, as happens, and the Spanish said they did not want our fish and stopped it at a port in Spain, we would not be happy. We must ensure we protect the European market because we are the biggest beneficiaries of that free market.

I have had much engagement with marts. I know the mart in Kenmare which is near my own area. Dan McCarthy does a great job there. We are engaged with the marts to see how we can liberate them further without transgressing HSE Covid-19 guidelines. I do not want to raise expectations that anything will happen in the short term. However, we are in constant engagement with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society, ICOS, and with the Association of Livestock Marts, the private mart operators, to see what other progress can be made.

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