Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister has acknowledged the impact that the Brexit deal will have on the fishing sector. The Taoiseach has acknowledged the severe impact that it will have on fishing communities across Ireland. Many aspects of it are unfair, such as the amount of quota share for a species like mackerel which has been given back to the UK. Ireland will give back 26% while Spain will give back 0.2% and Denmark will give back 0.8%. From those percentages, one can see straight away that Ireland is unfairly burdened and severely impacted by the Brexit deal. It is important that we react because businesses will close and jobs will be lost.

Last week I requested that the Minister set up a specific task force to deal with the impact of Brexit on the fishing industry. I am delighted he has acknowledged that and will set up such a task force. When will it be set up? Who will make up the task force? It is important that it includes the fishermen, the fisherwomen, the producer organisations and all relevant industry stakeholders.

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