Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister on 20 January and his response did not provide a resolution. I thank him for the invitation to engage with him on the issue of south-east fishing on 11 May. As Deputy Cullinane has highlighted, this is a significant economic issue for Dunmore East. The travel time to Dunmore East for fishing vessels that access the fishing grounds known as the Smalls is five or six hours. However, they cannot access the port and are forced to go to either Castletownbere, which is 17 or 18 hours' travel distance, or Howth, which is ten or 12 hours' travel distance. This has obvious emissions, economic and even safety impacts. Will the Minister review this matter? There are fisheries protection officers and facilities at the port to allow Department officials to check landings. This is an issue of rural regeneration and support for our fishing ports, in particular Dunmore East. I ask the Minister to give this matter favourable consideration.

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