Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to meet them further. I regularly meet the inshore fisheries forum. I would encourage our inshore fishers to become organised through the regional and national forums. Their voice has not been represented properly in our fisheries’ representative infrastructure. This has been a major weakness and has meant that, in many cases, they have not had fair representation or a fair deal. I have worked to ensure that is corrected. I know the Deputy supports me strongly in that regard.

I have discussed this matter with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum representatives and would be happy to do so again. It is important that, as we progress the significant energy opportunities in the blue economy, we work together to ensure that all interests are properly accommodated and respected and that we find the appropriate balance to the benefit of all involved, particularly our people. We must ensure the marine resource is protected, but also harnessed in a way that serves everyone’s well-being.

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