Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister on his appointment. Third time lucky, I hope. I welcome this motion which allows us to reverse a poor decision which was made without consultation with the fishing sector. Ireland is required to enact some form of a points system and I do not think anyone disputes that. However, the Government’s approach has resulted in a process that lacks common sense and puts a further burden on small fishing communities and families.

In late August the Taoiseach, then acting Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, signed this new system into law. The Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation and other representative organisations were dismayed at this development because there was no consultation with industry and many found out about it via an official email a few days later. The Government’s scheme flies in the face of due process. There are very limited rights to appeal, decisions can be made on the balance of probabilities and even if an appeal is successful, penalty points still remain on a licence. This is poor law-making that erodes confidence in systems that are supposed to be about ensuring better practices.

The people of west Cork were further confused by the fact that a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach, who had previously condemned this statutory instrument, was the one who signed it into law. While Fianna Fáil Members will point to differences between new and previous regulations, these are largely technical in nature. They concern the extension of time periods and alterations to oral hearings but the core issues remain. After the announcement, commitments were made by the Taoiseach and the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to meet with representatives for the sector but this looks and feels like tokenism. There is little point in meeting to discuss concerns after signing this into law. Where was the proactive engagement?

Our coastal and island communities deserve better. Fishermen and women should be central to creating a viable and fair process. This points system is another example of the disconnect between the Department and the sector. The Government’s tie-up scheme was deeply unpopular with the industry too as it did not address its needs. It was clear when the scheme was announced that it was not fit for purpose. Representatives of fishing communities contacted me highlighting that it was not sufficient to cover their costs. Fishing is an expensive livelihood in terms of overheads like maintenance costs, insurance and safety fees. Their concerns were reflected in reports that very few took up the scheme. The only way successful and progressive policies can be developed is in genuine partnership with the communities and businesses affected. I am particularly concerned for smaller fishing groups which, despite practising the most sustainable fishing, are often overlooked. At a time when we are all making changes to the way we do business, the Department should be open to more proactive measures to help an industry that is vital to so many coastal and island communities.

Another issue of concern is the lack of accountability in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, the organisation which will administers the points system. We are a waiting a review of that body and until that is released, it seems ill-judged to give it additional powers. Again, we all acknowledge the need for a points system. Not only is it necessary under EU regulations, but it is an important tool to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. These practices put the livelihoods of honest fishermen and women at risk and need to be tackled but there are fairer and better ways than this. We need a system that makes sense, is fair and transparent, one that island communities can buy into and can have faith in. This motion gives us a chance to hit the reset button.

This discussion also allows us to focus on the fishing sector, which is too often relegated behind other industries in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. We need to support sustainable, small-scale fishing and to do that, we must immediately address the lack of basic infrastructure. Too many small piers dotted around our coastline and islands are falling into disrepair and lack basic amenities like slipways. They urgently need investment to preserve the livelihoods of local fishing families and the practice of truly sustainable fishing. I refer to the kind of fishing that has existed in rural and coastal Ireland for generations which is more environmentally friendly and which will keep families living on islands and in other coastal and rural areas. Funding for piers comes in limited form from the Departments of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Housing, Planning and Local Government through to local authorities. Having been a member of the coastal management committee on Cork County Council, I have first-hand knowledge of under-investment in piers. At the very first meeting I had to point out that everyone fighting for the same minuscule amount of funding was counterproductive and that we should instead focus on getting more much-needed funding for piers. I have called for small piers to be made a priority for funding streams for marine infrastructure to support sustainable fishing communities. The fishing sector has been severely impacted by the pandemic. Since March fishing communities have been calling for greater support due to the significant drop in markets. I have sought a fisheries task force to help the sector and communities through measures such as tailored social protection mechanisms and consumer campaigns. I am making that call again today.

This motion highlights serious issues with the penalty points system and allows us to correct a mistake. I urge all Deputies, especially those who represent coastal and island communities, to support it.

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