Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I also welcome the students from County Cork. It is always good to see Cork people in the Chamber.

I am substituting for my colleague, Senator Manus Boyle, today. They are big shoes to fill, but I will address some of his thoughts on this matter. At the outset, I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Heydon, on their roles in bringing forward these fuel subsidies for fishing, commercial and inshore, and for all sectors, including farming, transport and forestry.

Undoubtedly, we are living in very challenging times. Economic structures have been shaken ever since the war in the Gulf, with threats of tariffs and the unpredictable behaviour of people in high office in our neighbouring countries. The war in the Gulf, of course, has created untold damage to businesses around the country, with the cost of oil and fuel reaching record highs.

Businesses in my county are struggling daily and, in some cases, parking machinery and vehicles when they can to save on costs. Most people who know the fishing industry will be aware that most pelagic trawlers are tied to the piers at this time of the year, due mainly to the lack of quota and fishing opportunities. However, I must also say that when the fishing season ends, the work and maintenance must start on these same vessels. Some of the larger vessels must travel to foreign ports, where dry-dock facilities and skilled engineers are available. It could take seven to eight days to reach ports like Bergen, in Norway, and Skagen, incurring the now even more substantial costs of fuel to get there and back. In Killybegs, we have world-class engineering facilities that are recognised globally. These companies are crying out for work due to the downturn in fishing activity, and, in most cases, have had to reduce their staffing numbers. All we need are suitable facilities to be able to dry-dock these larger vessels and keep the skills and substantial revenue generated in Ireland.

I know I am slightly off topic but I would like consideration to be given to this subject in future. We need to keep our skilled engineers and those businesses supported by any means, especially when we have a viable solution. Service industries around fishing communities were founded on necessity and without them, the industry could not remain functioning. This is why, once again, I call for consideration when it comes to support for these businesses in future.I welcome the fuel subsidies and the support for the fishing vessels along with the other sectors benefiting from the package. Like Senators Boyle and Duffy, I recently spoke in this House on the need to extend this support. We are especially grateful that the inshore fishermen and women, as well as the ferry companies which play a vital role in moving passengers and freight to and from our islands, have been included in these much-needed supports. I know the last few weeks have been extremely difficult for the Government. I believe that in time, we will see that the correct choices have been made and that challenges and the unpredictability we face as a country have steered this package for what it is – the best outcome for an unpredictable forecast.

I will touch briefly on the inshore sector. I welcome the Minister of State's comments that his intention is to fully support the sector to be sustainable and viable going forward. There was mention long before this fuel crisis of a long-term stabilisation payment. I know the task force will look at that issue as part of its ongoing work. It is something on which our minds should be focused at the moment. It is not just about stability today and supporting today. They were in crisis long before the crisis we have seen in recent weeks. The Minister of State spoke about 800 boats actively fishing around our shores. These are people protecting our shores. This is their daily work. This support is not about giving money for no reason – there is also the protection of our habitats and there is other work these fishermen would like to do. I want to mention that today too.

The Minister of State mentioned the fuel that these inshore boats use. They have small, outboard petrol engines. Prior to today, they had an issue around claiming back VAT on petrol. That is an issue that needs to be taken into account as well. I would welcome the Minister of State’s clarity on whether this fuel scheme will support those types of fishermen and whether it might be looked at in future outside the fuel crisis. They are buying it from pumps but cannot claim back VAT as bigger boats can.

As ever, I thank the Minister of State for his work and that of the Minister, Deputy Heydon and the leadership they are taking in supporting the fishermen. We saw the protests some weeks ago. Many sectors felt they were not being listened to as well as others. Fishermen and fisherwomen have been engaging with the Government in recent months and years and have seen the Government’s care towards the industry. They stuck with the process and kept engaging. That is why we have the support here. For fishermen and all sectors of society, this is the Government listening to the primary producers of food. I welcome these supports and thank the Minister of State for his engagement as always.