Tom Brabazon (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to participate in this debate. I welcome John Lynch from Howth, who is the CEO of the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation. I thank him for the hard work that he does in this area.

Ireland has a very proud fishing tradition right across our island. I was glad to see that a stand-alone Minister of State for fisheries was re-established as part of the programme for Government, reflecting the Government's commitment to this sector. It is important that, as Members of these Houses, we acknowledge that our fisheries are vital, not only for our economy but for our food security. We must ensure that those working in the sector are supported to the absolute maximum. In my constituency, Dublin Bay North, we are proud of Howth Harbour and Howth's tradition as a fishing village, dating back to the Middle Ages. This is my second time raising this matter on the floor of the House. Last month, I tabled a Topical Issue matter to discuss the urgent works required at the harbour. The harbour has not been dredged since the 1970s, half a century ago, and vessels are experiencing significant issues with the harbour's depth. A number of weeks ago, a vessel became stuck in the harbour for a number of hours at low tide. Vessels have a narrow window to get in and out of the harbour, particularly larger boats with a clearance of 5 m or less.

Planning permission has been granted for a wonderful new park off the pier using the dredged material. However, consent is awaited from the Environmental Protection Agency. We urgently need this approval so that vessels can utilise the harbour with ease, get in and out and do what they want and need to do. It is not just fishing vessels which use the harbour, but also commercial and leisure craft, and, extremely importantly, RNLI rescue craft. This delay could have serious implications for lifeboats in the future in the event of an emergency. I urge the Department to do what it can to get this project moving as soon as possible. Other improvements are required at the harbour, such as the boat repair shed. Currently, it is only accessible for part of the year. Greater sheltering of the shed would allow vessel owners to make repairs and improvements to the vessels all year around. I ask the Department to have a look at this and to offer definitive support in this regard. Also at the harbour, the Syncrolift which was built in the 1980s is long overdue an upgrade. I ask the Department to give this the attention it deserves.

Howth, as we all know, is a major centre for tourism, and contributes to the local and national economy. Each year, hundreds travel to Howth to celebrate Ireland's maritime heritage and our seafood tradition at Howth Maritime and Seafood Festival. However, it is vital that the local fishermen and women and the harbour receive the support they need to sustain the rich fishing tradition.

At a broader level, we are witnessing growing fragility in our food systems from impacts of war, climate disasters, rising costs and supply shortages. Ireland cannot take its food security for granted. We must provide every support that we can to our fisheries and those in the sector to protect our livelihoods and our national food security. Those in our fishing sector have raised their real concern about conditions they will face in 2026, which Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has so eruditely put. This entails reductions in catches of mackerel, blue whiting and boarfish, and zero catches for cod, haddock and whiting stocks. Such cuts would seriously impact the viability of our catching sector, prevent fish processing businesses from having access to raw material, and impact the service industry that supports the seafood sector in coastal communities like Howth. The Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation has put forward a number of measures to support the sector, including subsidies or tie-up schemes to reduce fishing effort where stocks require a period of rebuilding, and has also called for Ireland to invoke all its Hague preferences where its quota is below the threshold. I know the Minister of State is familiar with those proposals.

I welcome that budget 2026 provides a significant €157.7 million to support the fisheries sector. This funding will provide much-needed financial assistance and essential investment in infrastructure. I strongly urge the Department to continue to work with the sector to meet the significant challenges ahead and to ensure the long-term viability of our fisheries and coastal communities.

The Department, however, needs to seriously up its game, as was so well put by Deputy Gallagher.

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