Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail)

First, I am delighted to support my Donegal colleague’s motion on sea fisheries I congratulate him on bringing it forward. Fianna Fáil welcomes this debate and will not be opposing the motion. I am delighted that the Minister of State is here. That he has his key officials with him shows the importance he is offering to the motion put in front of the House today. I commend him on being here.

Ireland’s waters are one of our most valuable natural resources. Our coastline of 7,500 km is one of the longest in the EU. Fianna Fáil deeply values the role of fisheries in the future of our country and those who rely on this activity for their livelihood. The one part of the motion I wish to highlight the most is where it calls on the Government to oppose any further concessions that allow third countries disproportionate access to Irish waters while showing disregard for the scientific advice of ICES. That is really the key point at the moment, considering negotiations that the Minister of State is in the middle of and those that will take place over the next month or two. It is a pertinent part of the motion. I wish the Minister of State well in his negotiations.

We have now re-established the role of the Minister of State. He is in place and has secured a significant budget of €157.7 million to support the fisheries sector for 2026. That has to be welcomed. This funding will continue to provide supports to key capital infrastructure projects in our fishery harbour centres, the seafood development programme and the important work carried out by our marine agencies.

The recommendations of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea on 2026 fish stocks poses a significant challenge. At EU level, the Council of Ministers is expected to vote on the annual total allowable catches, TAC, and quotas regulation on 12 and 13 December 2025.

Fianna Fáil is committed to continue to support our fishing communities and agriculture sectors. I grew up in Donegal and visited places like Killybegs and Greencastle. I was also a member on the council with Senator Boyle’s father. I have seen how deeply people have fought over the years for the rights of fishermen and fish stocks. It is a tradition that is, in some way, in dire need of Government attention. I know we are giving that attention now with the appointment of the Minister of State to this role but we have a job on our hands. Even if you just take the mackerel quota, there is strain there. These third countries are posing an awful problem for us.

At both EU and international level, we will stand up for fisheries in quota negotiations in order to return the maximum yield while maintaining stock levels according to the latest scientific evidence.

I will finish with the point I made regarding the overfishing by third countries. It is important that we use whatever mechanisms we can find at EU level to stop countries like Norway overfishing. In the context of fishing, it is important that we do not forget our inshore fishermen and how are important they are. That is another day’s work, but they play an important part in the fishing sector. I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House today.