Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1815. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of carbon reduction mandated by 2030 for the EU fishing fleet under current EU legislation. [47162/25]

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1816. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the EU is to reduce climate emissions of national fleets. [47163/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1815 and 1816 together.

Ireland has committed to reaching national targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2030 under the EU Effort Sharing Regulation. EU climate legislation falls under the remit of the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment. The Effort Sharing Regulation was amended in 2023, to include new national targets that should collectively contribute to a 40% reduction in emissions, compared with 2005 levels, in the effort-sharing sectors. The fishing sector is covered by this Regulation in terms of energy transition and emission reduction targets.

In February 2023, the European Commission presented a package of measures to improve the sustainability and resilience of the EU's fisheries and aquaculture sector. This includes, among other elements, a Communication on Energy transition in the EU fisheries and aquaculture sector.

The Communication notes that a significant share of EU fisheries and aquaculture businesses are energy intensive and rely heavily on fossil fuels. This is driven by the energy crisis and the objective on climate neutrality under the Green Deal. The Initiative proposes two main changes for the sector: Firstly an increase in energy efficiency, to include a decrease in fuel use intensity and overall fuel consumption in the short to medium term. Secondly, a switch from fossil fuels to renewable and zero or low carbon energy sources and fuels. This would include electricity, biofuels and hydrogen.

The Commission proposes four sets of actions to deliver these changes:-

1. Improving the governance framework and coordination/cooperation between stakeholders with the establishment of an Energy Transition Partnership for fisheries and aquaculture;
2. Supporting further research and innovation to close gaps in available technology and knowledge;
3. Developing skills in the sector to help adapt to energy transition;
4. Improving the business environment, including financing opportunities and awareness. The Communication proposes that the European Maritime, Fisheries and aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) could support this work. The Commission also proposes to develop guidelines to help the sector access other EU finds and support mechanisms.

In June 2023, the EU Commission established a new Energy Transition Partnership (ETP), a multi-stakeholder platform intended to promote co-operation, knowledge sharing and dialogue between private and public stakeholders in order to accelerate the energy transition in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It is expected that the ETP will deliver a roadmap on how the sector will undergo this energy transition in the first half of 2026. It is understood that the roadmap will address key challenges, needs, and solutions across three timeframes: short-term (by 2030), mid-term (by 2040), and long-term (by 2050).

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1817. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will be arguing at EU level that excess fishing fleet emissions from non-Irish EU boats fishing in Irish waters are contributing to climate change; and that species should be fished by fleets moored closest to those fishing grounds. [47165/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas.  There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.   

Under Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 (the CFP basic regulation), changes to fisheries policy involving access or restriction to fishing opportunities or fishing areas come within the sole competency of the EU.   Only the European Commission may propose changes and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council.  

Furthermore, restricting fishing vessels to operating only in waters in close proximity to their home ports, would also restrict their access to traditional fishing grounds.  This would have a significant impact on Irish vessels also.  For instance, every year Irish vessels fish off the coast of France and Spain in the Bay of Biscay as part of Ireland's important Northern Albacore Tuna fishery.

Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1818. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the funding streams available to support generational renewal in the fishing industry; and the number of young entrants under 30 years of age supported in the past ten years, in tabular form. [47166/25]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Currently the primary source of funding for the seafood sector in Ireland is the Seafood Development Programme , which is co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027  and the Government of Ireland.  The Seafood Development programme has a budget allocation of €258 million over the lifetime of the programme.  It follows on from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) 2014 – 2020 and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF)

Under Seafood Development Programme , Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) run several grant-aid supported schemes that support young fishers on behalf on my Department. These include the young fisher scheme and seafood training scheme.

The Young Fisher scheme which was opened in 2024 specifically targets young fishers with age restriction of under 40, this scheme provides support at a rate of 40% up a maximum of €250,000 to qualifying individuals / groups of individuals wishing to purchase their first vessel.

Details of recipients of grant aid during the period 2015-2025 is outlined below.