Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)

The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, knows and has spent time in the coastal communities I represent in Galway. We talk about Connemara and the four offshore islands in Galway West where the lifestyle is completely interwoven with the sea and fishing. It really is a way of life. Anyone who is familiar with fishing communities knows the importance of European fishing quotas and of states respecting these quotas. This is why it is so important for the Government to represent the interests of hard-working Irish fishers when negotiating quotas and representing their interests in Europe.

I am regularly contacted by fishers who ask for a bluefin tuna quota, which I have previously raised with the Minister of State. Understandably, our fishing communities are furious that non-EU third states are overfishing with no repercussions. This has led to recent scientific recommendations to cut fishing quotas of species like mackerel. Mackerel is very important to our fishing communities and any cuts will be devastating for them.

This is why it is so shameful that certain Irish MEPs voted for the agreement that would hand over Irish fishing territory and quotas to Norway and Iceland in return for funding. Meanwhile, Ireland will not see a red cent of that money despite these concessions. This is bad for Ireland and turns its back on our fishing communities. Along with Independent, Labour and Independent Ireland MEPs, all four Fianna Fáil MEPs supported it. This is particularly concerning, considering that Fianna Fáil holds the Ministry responsible for fisheries.

Our fishing communities need us all to stand up for them internationally to protect our quotas and negotiate deals that will support coastal communities and not leave them on their own. We cannot reward states that overfish our waters with higher quotas. We need the EU to take action to ensure that all states fish responsibly based on the science. We need a better deal for Irish fishers. We need justice and fairness for our Irish fishing communities, once and for all.

Tá a fhios ag an Aire Stáit go maith cé chomh tábhachtach is atá cúrsaí iascaireachta i gConamara agus ar na hoileán amuigh ón chósta thar timpeall na Gaillimhe. Tá ceithre cinn acu. Tuigeann muid cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an iascaireacht ní hamháin don gheilleagair, ach do shaol na ndaoine sin chomh maith. Cuireann sé frustrachas uafásach ar iascairí nuair a fheiceann siad céard a tharlaíonn ar bhonn leibhéal na hEorpa agus an Aontais Eorpaigh. Mothaíonn siad nach bhfuil an méid atá ag teastáil uathu á chur in iúl ag an Rialtas, ná ag Feisirí Eorpacha áirithe, ag leibhéal an Aontais Eorpaigh. Níl sé sách maith go bhfuil siad ag fulaingt agus ag streachailt mar gheall air seo. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go n-oibríonn chuile dhuine sa Teach seo le chéile chun cinntiú go mbeidh deal níos fearr ag iascairí na hÉireann. Tá sé thar am go ndéanann muid é seo mar tá a fhios againn nach raibh sé déanta le 20, 30 nó 40 bliain anuas. Anois, áfach, tá Aire Stáit againn. Tá an tAire Stáit ann agus tá sé thar am go mbainfear úsáid as an ról sin chun é sin a chinntiú.

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