Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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596. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on whether the issues arising from Brexit for which funding from the European Union has been provided through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund are entirely separate from the fuel crisis currently being experienced by the Irish fishing; the plans and resources that he intends undertaking and allocating to address this specific crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47227/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am conscious of the significant increases in energy prices for the whole of the seafood sector. I met with representative groups from the industry in July and again last week, and discussed the impacts of the high fuel and energy prices on the profitability of fishing, aquaculture and seafood processing. The challenges facing the industry from the impacts of the Brexit Trade & Co-operation Agreement have been compounded by the energy challenge facing the economy. In this context, I have been active over the last number of months in implementing support schemes for the wider seafood sector and coastal communities, in line with the recommendations of the “Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change.”

I have worked very closely with industry to develop short and longer term supports to assist the wider seafood industry cope with the consequences of Brexit and the circumstances that have affected the industry since then. Since the publication of the Task Force Report, €225m in supports and developmental strategies have been launched. These supports will enable our seafood sector and coastal communities to overcome the significant challenges it faces.

I have made clear the position that the seafood sector must be supported under any business supports provided in the upcoming Budget and I will continue to monitor and assess the situation over the coming period and keep all available options under active consideration.