Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Rural Independents for this motion, which we will support. I come from a land-locked county but it does not take much analysis to know fishermen in our country have been let down. I have met people from west Cork and south Kerry, where I have many connections, as well as west Clare and further up the west coast. We are seeing negative change and you would feel for them.

The inshore fleet comprises around 91% of our fishing vessels, employing close to 3,000 people in rural communities. What gets to me when I talk to these groups, as I have over a number of years going back to when I was an MEP, is the involvement of many intergenerational families. I accept the Minister’s interest in the area, but I see that involvement dwindling all the time. That is hugely unfortunate. The Irish seafood sector has been under enormous pressure with Brexit and strain from other issues, including what is going on with Ukraine.

The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has also had a disproportionate impact on our seafood. Our fleet loss is 15% of its annual quota. Exports of ingredients and supplies to the UK have been hugely disrupted and the UK land bridge, which would be the fastest route to market in continental Europe, is less viable, to say the least. The impact can be seen, in particular, on the shrimp market, which has effectively collapsed, with one group of around 600 small inshore fishers losing an estimated €5 million in the build-up to Christmas last year.

Packages valued at more than €100 million have been provided to help the larger offshore sector to deal with the ongoing negative impacts of Brexit; unfortunately, the inshore sector has only received around €3.7 million, despite accounting for 91% of the fishing fleet. As recommended by the seafood task force set up by the Minister, one payment of €2,700 for owners of vessels under 8 m and €4,000 for owners of large vessels were made but it is not enough.

EMFAF implements the EU Common Fisheries Policy and aims to boost the resilience of the seafood sector, accelerate its green transition and support coastal communities. The total finance allocation is €258.4 million. A slight issue with the motion, which I think is a typo, is the figure “€285.4 million”, which should be “€258.4 million”, comprising an EU contribution of €142.4 million and €116 million from the State. Some 50% of this funding allocation is to be dedicated to building resilience to current challenges in the fisheries sector and improving sustainability, which we all know is necessary. Despite a 114% increase in fuel prices between 2020 and mid-2022, Government has repeatedly refused to draw down on EU fuel aid. Data from BIM shows Irish fisheries require between €20 million and €25 million in fuel aid to effectively compete in Europe. Fleets from countries whose governments have distributed existing fuel aid or are offering other fuel aid supports are being given a competitive advantage over the Irish fleet.

The European Commission has allowed for derogation of fuel subsidies, which has been capitalised on by France and Spain, for example, but the Minister has so far refused to grant such relief to our fishermen. I would appreciate if he would deal with this matter in his reply. I was taken with his statement that €50 million was given out to a range of areas across the country, a massive increase on previous years, which I accept. A number of locations did not apply, as the Minister pointed out. Is that still open or will it be reopened? In many cases, those who did not apply need to do so, as the Minister stressed. Will he answer that in his reply?

Ireland’s fishing fleet has an excellent reputation but the viability of the vast majority of the fleet is now in question. We have heard from numerous organisations, such as the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, IFPO, and NIFA, as well as individual fisheries, that whether or not the sector survives depends on direct and targeted support. I have no doubt there are avenues, nationally and particularly through the EU, that need more focus and we in the Labour Party will concentrate on that. It is important to keep in mind this concerns the livelihoods of those working from small inlets, piers and harbours around our coasts and they face a really difficult period if there is not direct help given soon.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recently formally recognised NIFA as an EU producer organisation. This is a welcome move. I think we all support it but it is tokenistic if greater support is not given and we do not get to the heart of the issue. Our inshore fishing fleet needs immediate targeted financial aid, both current and capital. If a plan is not put in place soon for this group, which does not get as much attention in this Chamber as it should, it faces a difficult future. Please act.

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