Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)

These fishing communities have played a critical role in our economy and culture for generations but are now facing an existential threat following proposed cuts to our fishing quota and the Common Fisheries Policy. Just as we must protect marine life and biodiversity, we must also prioritise the communities that have lived alongside them for generations. Science and sustainability are not incompatible with thriving coastal communities; both can exist harmoniously. However, due to decades of EU inaction and diplomatic failure by governments, Ireland's fishing industry is facing a crisis. Devastating quota reductions, combined with the loss of traditional fishing grounds, represent serious threats. Quota cuts could wipe out over €200 million in value next year, with mackerel losses up to €80 million alone.

To add to this, some of the most egregious damage has and continues to be caused by the rogue actions of other states through overfishing. Overfishing by states such as Norway, the Faroes, Russia, Iceland and Britain have had a devastating impact on Ireland's fishing stocks. Over 1 million tonnes of mackerel have been caught above scientific advice in the past five years according to the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group. These are not just numbers; these are livelihoods, communities and a proud heritage under threat. What has the European Commission done in response? Worse than nothing. Not only has it failed to impose sanctions, these same states have been rewarded with greater access to water off the west of Ireland. In one recent deal, Norway was granted 200,000 tonnes of blue whiting in Irish waters while Ireland received less than 60,000 tonnes. That is worth €50 million for Norway versus €15 million for Ireland. This is unjust and it is outrageous. It is not like the EU is unaware of the devastating consequences of its actions in response to such rogue state behaviour. It has admitted that continued overfishing could force a zero-catch mackerel quota by 2027, given the scale of these inflated quotas. This is a cliff edge that is simply not surmountable without decimating livelihoods and communities as things stand.

We have also heard from fish producers that over 2,000 jobs could be lost. This will also affect the inshore fishers. Let me make this clear: Sinn Féin stands with fishing and coastal communities. We admire their resilience and commend their calls for fairness and accountability. We are calling on the Government to stand strongly with them. We need a firm stance in Brussels. It is high time the EU does what is right, acting decisively, and where rogue behaviour exists, it must stand firm. The Government must make it clear that if this overfishing continues, sanctions, trade leverage and access restrictions will be on the table.

We also call for an urgent financial aid package to support the industry through the crisis. Sinn Féin has proposed a €10 million contingency fund and €10 million in capital for harbour improvements. Speaking to our local councillor in west Kerry, Robert Brosnan, he has also called for the tuna fish quota for inshore grants so that they can diversify and more infrastructure for fishers in west Kerry. We believe the Government must back our coastal communities, not abandon them. The system also needs major reform, including a dedicated Minister for fisheries and marine, a fish Ireland office in Brussels and a root and branch review of the department. BIM also needs to do an impact assessment in order to protect the industry and a long-term strategy to sustainably support the fishing industry. Our offshore, inshore and agriculture sectors must be supported. We must ban destructive factory vessels, ensure fair quota distribution and promote sustainable growth.

When it comes to Ireland's offshore energy ambition in particular, fishing and coastal communities must see the benefits. Community benefit funds should be expanded and ring-fenced for this purpose specifically. In addition, they should be treated as experts and partners they have the potential to be, but many fishers are locked out. Under the Government's current plan, in order for a fishing vessel to be used as a guard vessel, the fisherman must deregister the vessel, apply to go on the commercial register and then, should they wish to fish again, reapply both for a load line certificate and to go back on the fishing register. This is bureaucracy that, in practice, stops the communities in the major economic and infrastructural developments in their area. It is not a just transition. It is not like this in other EU countries.

Will the Minister of State commit to breaking down the barriers for fishing vessels to act as guard vessels? I also take this opportunity to ask once again where is the marine protected areas legislation. We have been waiting far too long. It threatens marine life and biodiversity but also creates significant uncertainty for our coastal and fishing communities. They need to be seen as partners, co-producers and active authors of this process. It is the only way it will work.

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