Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is just not good enough that larger boats are supported by Government in so many ways and that inshore fishers tend to be ignored. They pay a higher cost for fuel in the first place. Fuel costs in bigger ports are lower due to demand and supply for bigger vessels. Small boats operating from small piers and harbours have to buy it at local petrol stations at much higher costs. The small-scale fleet crucially accounts for the vast majority - more than half - of employment in the sector. It cannot continue to be excluded from all the schemes and fuel supports. All of these things are designed for the bigger players. Of course the Department can look for ways to support the inshore fishers and smaller boats in the sector as well. It does not have to be a case of saying that we are entering new territory and asking how we could possibly look at it. Generally, in the way schemes are designed, smaller players are excluded. This is a continuing trend. Something must be done about the disregard for vessels under 8 m in west Cork and other areas. As the Minister knows, salaries for small-scale fishers are low. They cannot be allowed to drop further. Other countries have introduced fuel supports for smaller boats. I ask the Minister to look at doing the same.

See this speech in context