Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, is one of a number of quangos responsible for the operation and regulation of our fishing industry. Based on what I have seen and heard in recent weeks, it may possibly be the most inaccurately named quango ever formed in this State. From its name, one would think that its main aim was to protect the fishing industry, but if one was to describe what is happening as a result of its activities, there would be a strong case for renaming it the SFDA, the sea-fisheries destruction authority. It seems that it is doing all it can, with the blessing of the Department, to bring about the destruction of the sea fishing industry.

I wish to highlight four important points regarding the current challenges facing the fishing industry. On the previous occasion when I spoke on the floor of the House about fishing, judicial proceedings were being taken jointly against the SFPA and the Department. Those proceedings were successful. First, we must get to grips with the weighing issue and get it sorted immediately in a way that does not affect the quality of fish produce or food safety standards. What is happening currently is not the case. Weighing fish on a quayside where we are exposed to the elements most certainly does nothing for food standards or the safety we provide through them. If we cannot come up with a solution within the EU guidelines, then we should ignore the guidelines and put fishing communities first rather than prioritising the wishes of the bureaucrats in Brussels.

The second point I wish to mention is the Common Fisheries Policy. That needs to be renegotiated ASAP. The Government owes it to the fishing industry to do all it can to create the conditions for the industry to thrive not die. The Minister made many concessions in order to get the EU agreement over the line on Brexit and our fishermen have been neglected.

The third point I wish to make on the record is a local one. It is the pier and harbour in Duncannon, which is an utter disgrace from a health and safety point of view. Either Wexford County Council is not applying for funding or it is not being given it. The problem must be addressed before a major accident occurs. I urge the Minister to make this a priority and to be proactive rather than reactive when we have a disaster on our hands.

I note that the Department recently commenced the process of closing down the fishing of mackerel due to quotas being reached. The ban will only affect small, local, indigenous fishermen with vessels of up to 15 m. The large, foreign factory ships are landing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fish and they will be able to continue to do so. Why is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine introducing rules and orders that are harming Irish fishing operations while rewarding and not even policing foreign fishing operations?

I speak with fishermen on a regular basis, at least once a week and sometimes more often. I try to bring the concerns to the attention of the Minister and the Department when I have the opportunity. I have raised many issues with the Minister both today and on previous occasions. Every week there seems to be another regulation or directive which adds hardship to the fishers of coastal communities. When will it stop? Every day there is something that diminishes what they do. Will the Minister meet with the fishermen in Wexford to explain what is going on? Perhaps it will not sound as complex to their ears if they hear it directly from the Minister’s mouth and we may be able to come to some agreement. I call on the Minister to meet with them face to face now that we are out of level 5. Will he come to Wexford, which has a large fishing community just like his own?

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