Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have one quick question. I am pleased to see that after nearly two hours here fishing was mentioned in the previous question. The only question I wish to ask relates to fishing. I want to know the Minister's plans. Previously, he said he did not want to redirect the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, EMFF, because he felt it was not suitable. What is going to happen in regard to fishing? What is critically important as well is that all fishermen will be assisted. It might take different measures to assist different categories of fishermen, such as those with boats of under 10 m in length, but all fishermen should benefit from whatever measures are introduced by the European Union. It is vitally important to make sure that everybody does benefit. A number of existing financial measures for Covid-19 do not apply to fishermen or farmers anyway. That is in the document. I checked it this evening on the website before I came into the Chamber. Only one out of three of the criteria apply to fishermen or farmers. It is vitally important that the Minister would outline what is going to happen for the different elements of fishermen within the State. Perhaps he would respond to those questions.

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