Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

I will try not to use my full time because I am conscious that a number of Members want to contribute, and I will facilitate that. I thank the Deputies for seeking the opportunity for statements on fishing. It is timely considering the recent developments in the discussions and negotiations for fishing opportunities for 2026 but also as a chance to discuss other important issues and concerns affecting the fisheries sector.

I will deal with the recent developments for the pelagic stock first. On 13 September, the International Council for Exploration of the Seas, ICES, published deeply concerning advice for widely distributed pelagic stock in 2026. The advice recommended a 70% reduction in the total allowable catch for mackerel in 2026, as well as a reduction of 41% for blue whiting and 22% for boarfish. Regarding mackerel, this follows a reduction last year of 22% compared with advice for 2024. This is also on top of a 26% reduction as a result of Brexit. The Celtic Sea whitefish fleet faces an even bleaker prospect, with cod, haddock and whiting quotas facing zero-catch recommendations. What is facing the Irish fleet in 2026 is a reduction in opportunities right across the sector. We must consider the socioeconomic implications of these recommendations. If the cuts proposed are translated into fishing opportunities for 2026, this will challenge the economic viability and the scale of the Irish fishing sector. These cuts will starve fish processing businesses of raw material. They will impact the services industry that supports the seafood sector in coastal communities. Service industries include engineering, net mending and factories that have built up over 50 years around ports like Killybegs and Castletownbere.

Following the publication of the advice, I met with fishermen and fisherwomen in Killybegs on Sunday, 5 October, to hear those concerns. They are very clear that years of unchecked overfishing by Norway, Iceland, the Faroes and the Russian Federation have pushed mackerel to the brink. The North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group, NAPA, represents global seafood buyers and retailers. It confirms that over 1 million tonnes of mackerel have been caught above scientific advice over the past five years. This is not a new problem. It is a failure of enforcement. On 8 October, I met with relevant stakeholder groups as part of the annual sustainability impact assessment process. This provided a further opportunity to discuss the scientific advice.

The issue of unsustainable fishing of key pelagic stock such as mackerel by certain coastal states outside the EU has been raised by Ireland repeatedly over the years. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in June and again in September I highlighted Ireland's concerns regarding Norway's actions in setting excessive and unsustainable mackerel quotas. We could be looking at an even more serious scenario in 2027 for mackerel, so it is important that we take a co-ordinated approach now. We cannot accept a business-as-usual approach in dealing with Norway. The EU Commission needs to identify and adapt suitable measures to respond to this crisis and bring forward measures regarding third countries that fail to co-operate and that allow unsustainable fishing of stocks of common interest to the European Union. There are tools under Regulation (EU) No. 1026/2012 to impose trade restrictions on countries undermining stocks. The programme for Government recognises the valuable role of fisheries in this country and the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihoods. Furthermore, it notes the commitment of this Government to defend Irish interests in the context of fisheries negotiations between the EU and third countries.

Last week, I presented a sustainability impact assessment to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. This assessment, which involves a public consultation process along with expert contributions from the Marine Institute and BIM, is an essential step in Ireland's preparation for the autumn negotiations on fishing opportunities for the forthcoming year. The sustainability impact assessment highlights the potential for significant impacts on the Irish fishing industry. While we have seen clearly the potential impact on the catching sector, the recent ICES advice, particularly in respect of mackerel, is of significant concern to a number of processors who process pelagic fish and ship their product to markets across the world. Mackerel is Ireland's most valuable catch, worth about €94 million in exports last year to premium European and Asian markets. It is now below the safe biological limit. Next week, together with colleagues, I will visit China on a trade mission to support that fishing sector, as well as pork and dairy products. It is a very important market for us and one which, with the assistance of Bord Bia, we continue to promote. The pelagic processors account for €122 million of the €947 million value of the overall sector and ten of the 95 seafood processing companies in the industry. Together with departmental officials, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Bord Bia, we will work with the pelagic processors to fully assess and analyse the impact of reductions that will take effect in 2026, and to identify ways in which these processors may be supported. In the meantime, a range of supports continue to be available to the sector to support seafood promotion, capacity building, new product development, new market opportunities and capital investment.

As I said, I will be visiting China next week. Our seafood exports to China are particularly strong, showing growth of more than 50% in the year to date. I am committed to working with other Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in this very difficult context. I have had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. I have raised the matter with the Taoiseach and intend to have further conversations with him. The senior Minister, Deputy Heydon is here and he has been appraised of the issues. Together we will work to assist insofar as possible. The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has also been briefed on this, as has the Tánaiste, by people from the sector, to explore options within the constraints of both the EU and national Exchequer funding and the relevant EU and national legislation, in particular taking account of the constraints imposed under EU state aid rules. I am acutely aware, too, that processors require fish, not handouts. The reality of the situation requires emergency interventions. I have spoked to fisheries Ministers in other member states since my appointment and have consistently worked towards building common positions on issues that are of relevance to our sector and its specifics. A strong and common European position is in the best interests of all fishing parties. It is critical to ensure these stocks are fished in a sustainable manner and that comprehensive agreements can be reached governing fishing opportunities for the coming year.

Also of paramount importance is that third countries do not set unjust unilateral quotas that deplete this precious resource. The emerging situation is extremely challenging.

I wish to reassure the House that, as Minister of State with special responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on them and for the wider economy. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, reflects this approach by committing to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities that rely on this activity for their livelihood.

To reflect, for a moment, amid the current challenges, I refer to the BIM Business of Sea Food Report 2024. This offers a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of the seafood sector. The report tells us that the Irish seafood industry is valued at €1.24 billion. That is an increase of 4% on 2023. I am conscious that some of these numbers can be somewhat distorting of the facts, particularly when we are facing a crisis, but it is important to put those headline figures on record. The sector employs almost 8,000 people directly across fishing, aquaculture and processing, and a total of almost 17,000 people when indirect employment is included. Fish landings in Ireland were valued at €461 million in 2024, with €325 million coming from the Irish vessels and €136 million from non-Irish vessels. The report shows a value growth of 25% in the aquaculture sector, which is also encouraging. I have made it a feature of the role I hold to try to see where we can continue to grow the aquaculture sector. I am conscious that the licensing issue is currently an impediment in that regard. We are working with officials in our Department to try to find a resolution to that so we can ensure, where possible, the aquaculture sector is explored to the greatest opportunity and extent in a positive way that ensures we get increased exports and additional employment at home at a time when we are facing very particular constraints within the catching sector for those pelagic stocks. These metrics clearly demonstrate the resilience of the sector despite the significant challenges in recent years and its capacity to pivot and adjust to a changing environment. This progress would not be possible without strategic and well-targeted investment, both public and private.

I also recognise the appetite for the investment community to continue to put moneys back into this sector. That really needs to be recognised and welcomed. Through the seafood development programme the Government is delivering essential support to strengthen competitiveness and support sustainability and employment across the sector. More generally, funding for supports for the commercial seafood sector are provided under the seafood development programme. The programme is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, 2021 to 2027.

Schemes for industry under the SDP are primarily implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Separately to the SDP, the Department also funds and supports services provided by Bord Bia and the agrifood sector, including seafood. These are assessed by seafood processors, in particular marketing, innovation and new product development, etc. Funding supports are also provided to the commercial seafood sector by Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Fourteen schemes have been, or will be, implemented by BIM this year on behalf of our Department under the SDP and the majority of these are co-funded under EMFAF. Two are Exchequer-funded - specifically, the fleet safety and marine tourism schemes.

Many Members will be aware that I have placed a heavy emphasis on personal engagement with the seafood sector since I was appointed to this role in February. The engagement has never been more important than it is now and I am finding industry representatives more united than ever before. They make their case with professionalism and clarity and I thank them for the way in which they have engaged with me and with the Department over recent months, particularly at a time of great crisis for them. I can understand their frustration at times but at all times I see in their professionalism and steadfastness a desire to work through the current crisis.

The programme for Government commits to publishing a five-year fishery sector strategy that will include an examination of the processing sector and to continue to support and promote improvements in fisheries and aquaculture. To progress this, I have engaged a facilitator, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, to work with seafood representative groups in order to identify and articulate issues, priorities and opportunities for the sector. These will be considered when I am setting out the terms of reference for the fisheries sector strategy. Mr. Mulvey is currently engaged in a series of meetings with stakeholders and I look forward to meeting with him to consider his insights as the development of a strategy for the long-term future of the fisheries sector has never been more important. To that extent, we expect to be finalising that work in the coming months. I thank the office of the Secretary General which has engaged with Mr. Mulvey over the summer months and more recently in an effort to put in place capacity to facilitate, understand and to try to bring forward a comprehensive strategy there.

The allocation of stocks between members states was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of member states over a period of reference years which is referred to as track record. The only exemption to this relates to the Hague preferences based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavily controlled responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. This arrangement is a mechanism for limited increase in the annual quotas for Irish fishermen. Any changes to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of member states to agree under the qualified majority voting system. Deputies will be aware that this would require other member states to give up existing quota shares. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other member states and, therefore, present particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context. I am also conscious that there are some countries that do not fish their entire quota allocation but retain them anyway. I would like to see that changed but I am conscious of the challenges associated with that.

I would hope in any review of the CFP that we could have a fairer, more balanced and collegial approach at European level to try to find solutions that benefit all of us. However, I caveat all of that by saying it is a challenge in negotiations but I will certainly not be found wanting. With the support of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, we will fight the case of Irish fishermen and women to the greatest extent possible, notwithstanding our full understanding of the constraints we face. As I said, I will use all opportunities to seek additional access to quota for the Irish fishing fleet where this is possible.

In 2024, Ireland successfully invoked the Hague preferences for mackerel. This is the first time that the Hague preferences had successfully been invoked for this species. This has caused a considerable amount of disquiet among the impacted member states and I anticipate strong opposition in the December Council meeting. To that extent, a number of member states have sought - and we have afforded them - bilateral discussions, either through their embassies or directly with relevant Ministers. We have, at every possible opportunity, set out the importance of this mechanism for us to protect our sector. I believe we will need to invoke the Hague preference mechanism to protect Ireland's share of key stocks through a co-ordinated and all-of-government approach at EU level. It is for that instance that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and I are engaging with our colleagues in government so that we can use whatever other contacts are there at member state level to try to ensure we get what is required in the December Council meeting.

The last issue on which I wish to update the House today is the review of trawling inside six nautical miles. The programme for Government commits to maintaining support for our important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fish stocks. In December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 m trawling inshore waters within the six nautical miles zone and the baselines, was announced. The measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings resulting in it being overturned in 2023. In February 2024, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, held a new public consultation and a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines, and this consultation took place without prejudice to what went before. Over 5,500 submissions were received. These submissions, along with updated scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, were used to inform a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. Together with the Minister, Deputy Heydon, we carefully considered all issues before making a decision. Given the history of litigation in relation to this matter, it was critical that all the necessary procedural and legal steps were taken.

On 30 September, I signed policy directive 1 of 2025 to give legal effect to the decision that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and I, announced on 22 July last, to place certain restrictions on trawling activity by larger vessels, that is, vessels over 18 m in length, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines.

On 1 October 2026, trawling activity, that is, the operation of trawl or seine nets, by fishing vessels over 18 m in length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited. In addition, a catch limit of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 m in length inside the six nautical mile limit and the baselines from 11 October of this year to 30 September next year.

There has been much commentary on sprat. I can confirm at this time that there is no proposal from the European Commission for a total allowable catch or a quota management arrangement for sprat in the waters around Ireland. Ireland will, of course, have regard to a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of sprat. This Government committed to maintaining support for our inshore sector in the programme for Government. I have no plans at this time to introduce a sprat quota limit for vessels under 18 m. I made a decision to support the fleet of smaller vessels and those deriving an income from the inshore waters within six nautical miles. The new restrictions apply, as I said, to larger vessels only. I am confident that restricting trawling access to the six nautical mile zone to smaller vessels was the right decision to help to deliver on the promise made by this Government and the previous one to support our crucial inshore fishing sector. I am mindful of the opportunity that these measures will provide for our important small-scale fishermen and fisherwomen. I am confident that these measures will help to re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local communities.

I look forward to listening with intent to the rest of the debate.

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