Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)

10 o’clock

An indication of the urgency was the Minister of State travelling to Killybegs last Sunday week to meet representatives of the sector from all parts of the country, from Donegal to Cork. There is no need to outline the utter devastation that will result from the reduction of the mackerel quota by 70% and blue whiting by 41%. Thousands of jobs in the sector will be lost. This is the same sector that paid the price to get Brexit over the line and listened to Michel Barnier telling us fish would not be affected and would be inextricably linked with trade. Of course, he threw the sector under the bus. I attended many Council of Ministers' meetings over the years, but this is the worst ever. Even if the reduction is less than 70%, it will make little difference. The Hague preferences will add very little. The Minister of State mentioned other countries. I make a charge that Iceland, Norway and the Faroe Islands acted irresponsibly in not accepting the advice of ICES. They are responsible for this, as is the UK now as well.

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