Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton very much for raising this issue and for giving me an opportunity to update the House on it. I saw the flotilla on the news coverage last week and I recognise the frustration among fishermen that led to it. I hope to address some of those issues here in the House tonight. The main points raised by the fishing industry during the demonstration on 26 May relate to: the inequitable burden on Ireland in terms of the quota transfer to the UK following Brexit; Ireland's share of quota in our 200 nautical mile zone; and issues concerning EU fisheries controls.

The impact of Brexit on Ireland's seafood sector, and the coastal communities dependent on it, is understandably a major issue of concern for the sector. However, this impact would have been far greater had the Barnier task force agreed to UK demands, or had we been in a no-deal scenario which would have seen all EU vessels barred from UK waters and subsequent displacement into Ireland's fishing zone. However, that is not to diminish in any way the very real impact that exists, which amounts to a 15% reduction in our national quota between now and 2026. The aggregate final transfer by Ireland to the UK under the trade and co-operation agreement is estimated at be €43 million.

I assure the House that this Government intends to continue to keep the focus on the disproportionate quota reductions for Ireland. I have raised the matter of inequitable burden sharing for Ireland at EU level, most recently at the May Agriculture and Fisheries Council held last week, and I will continue to do so whenever an opportunity arises.

Regarding the out-take from Ireland's 200 miles exclusive fisheries zone, over the period 2011 to 2015 average landings of all species amounted to just under 387,000 tonnes with an approximate value of €444 million. Of that, Ireland accounts for 42% by weight and 36% by value. I am seeking an update for more recent years and will publish the data when I receive them. I am pursuing every opportunity at EU level to increase the available quotas for our fishing fleet. As I have previously advised the House, I am committed to doing all possible through the upcoming review of the CFP to secure additional quota, where possible, for Irish fishers.

Fishers also raised the issue of fisheries control. The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland's exclusive fisheries zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters such as this. The SFPA is currently engaged with the sector on these matters.

The impact of Brexit has been a major blow for the Irish fishing industry, but I am convinced that there is a sustainable future for the sector. There are opportunities for growth if we invest in and add value to our seafood sector, and there is a strong commitment from the Government to do this. My objective is to work with the industry to grow the sector in the years ahead. My Department's action plan for 2021 sets out the priority actions to be implemented this year to drive the development of a sustainable, competitive and innovative seafood sector. Importantly, I also set up a seafood sector task force, which brings all voices in the sector together, to advise on how we can invest in and develop the sector in the future. I anticipate receiving the interim report from the task force shortly. I assure the Deputy and the House that this Government is committed to working with the seafood sector to adjust to the impact of Brexit and to ensure a clear path for the growth of the sector in the years ahead.

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