James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The British Government has begun its post-Brexit "Make Britain great again"-style campaigns. One of them is its "Sea for Yourself" campaign, which focuses on promoting fish and shellfish found in UK waters. It is even going so far as to urge people to change their Friday-night fish and chips habits so they are eating locally-sourced battered Dover sole instead of battered cod; a very expensive alternative as I understand it.

Brexit represents an existential threat to the fishing industry in Ireland and my county of Wexford. It has the potential to be a hammer blow to an industry already reeling from Covid-19. On average, 34% of Irish fishery landings are taken from UK waters and for some fishermen, the proportion is even higher. The future for fishermen and their families is uncertain and their livelihoods are at serious risk. Michel Barnier has said the UK is attempting to pick and choose the most attractive elements of the Single Market without the obligations. Two weeks ago, it was reported that the Irish fishing industry could potentially see a significant slump in some fish quotas if the UK prevails in its ambitions in the Brexit fisheries negotiations. Support needs to be sought from the EU to protect our fishermen's livelihoods. Can the Minister of State provide an update on this? Has she spoken to Michel Barnier and urged him not to give ground - or sea in this case - on the issue?

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