Timmy Dooley
Clare · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“I thank both Senators for the amendments they are putting forward and the sentiment behind them. I will deal with the points about the emergency. The Government made it very clear that a decision was taken, based on a decision taken by the previous Government in November 2024.”
“The State has taken a view, however, that is consistent with our desire and our commitments to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030, and onwards to 2040 and 2050, that this facility is strategic, as it says, that it is only for storage and that it is not meant to be a market play and cannot be a market play.”
“It is, but it is not an either-or situation. If €1 billion could sort it out with more batteries, wind or solar then that is the route we would be taking. We are investing very significant amounts of money in our electricity grid.”
“As the Senators know, the piece of kit – effectively the ship – will be leased in. There are a number of these around the world and they move on. First, we are not investing in the kind of infrastructure that had been a feature of discussions in the past.”
“All fossil fuels are harmful to the environment. The Senator is right that methane has a much higher concentration and is more impactful by what is referred to as the carbon dioxide equivalence. It is much greater than carbon dioxide but it also has shorter life in the atmosphere. It dissipates over time whereas carbon dioxide does not.”
“If we were to do it, however, to get the private sector to pay for the security - I think it is accepted on all sides that there is a necessity for some security in terms of the gas supply - and if the Government were to say it would provide that through a market-led private consortium and initiate an auction to allow entities around the…”
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“I offer my warm words of welcome to the students from Cork. As somebody who served in this House for quite some time, I will say that the Chair kept the good wine until last. The students have come to the rarefied place where things get debated in a fulsome way. I thank Senator Noonan for raising this important issue. I know of his personal interest and his time in the Department, and how much work he did on that. I have had an opportunity to review it. The Senator was a long way along and significant credit will be due to him when we finally get a legislative framework in place that seeks to address the MPA legislation. I am pleased to have an opportunity to update all Senators on the Government's progress towards the introduction of marine protected areas legislation.”
“I am confident that restricting trawling access to the six nautical mile zone to smaller vessels was the right decision to help to deliver on the promise made by this Government and the previous one to support our crucial inshore fishing sector. I am mindful of the opportunity that these measures will provide for our important small-scale fishermen and fisherwomen. I am confident that these measures will help to re-establish links between local fish resources, local fleets and local communities. I look forward to listening with intent to the rest of the debate.”
“I can confirm at this time that there is no proposal from the European Commission for a total allowable catch or a quota management arrangement for sprat in the waters around Ireland. Ireland will, of course, have regard to a possible TAC and quota regime or other appropriate conservation measures going forward if recommended in the scientific advice to support the sustainable management of sprat. This Government committed to maintaining support for our inshore sector in the programme for Government. I have no plans at this time to introduce a sprat quota limit for vessels under 18 m. I made a decision to support the fleet of smaller vessels and those deriving an income from the inshore waters within six nautical miles. The new restrictions apply, as I said, to larger vessels only.”
“On 30 September, I signed policy directive 1 of 2025 to give legal effect to the decision that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and I, announced on 22 July last, to place certain restrictions on trawling activity by larger vessels, that is, vessels over 18 m in length, inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines. On 1 October 2026, trawling activity, that is, the operation of trawl or seine nets, by fishing vessels over 18 m in length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited. In addition, a catch limit of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 m in length inside the six nautical mile limit and the baselines from 11 October of this year to 30 September next year. There has been much commentary on sprat.”
“In February 2024, the then Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, held a new public consultation and a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines, and this consultation took place without prejudice to what went before. Over 5,500 submissions were received. These submissions, along with updated scientific and economic advice from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, were used to inform a review of trawling activity inside the six nautical mile zone and baselines. Together with the Minister, Deputy Heydon, we carefully considered all issues before making a decision. Given the history of litigation in relation to this matter, it was critical that all the necessary procedural and legal steps were taken.”
“It is for that instance that the Minister, Deputy Heydon, and I are engaging with our colleagues in government so that we can use whatever other contacts are there at member state level to try to ensure we get what is required in the December Council meeting. The last issue on which I wish to update the House today is the review of trawling inside six nautical miles. The programme for Government commits to maintaining support for our important inshore fishing sector and promoting the sustainability of fish stocks. In December 2018, a transition period to a ban on vessels over 18 m trawling inshore waters within the six nautical miles zone and the baselines, was announced. The measure, however, was the subject of extended legal proceedings resulting in it being overturned in 2023.”
“This has caused a considerable amount of disquiet among the impacted member states and I anticipate strong opposition in the December Council meeting. To that extent, a number of member states have sought - and we have afforded them - bilateral discussions, either through their embassies or directly with relevant Ministers. We have, at every possible opportunity, set out the importance of this mechanism for us to protect our sector. I believe we will need to invoke the Hague preference mechanism to protect Ireland's share of key stocks through a co-ordinated and all-of-government approach at EU level.”
“I would hope in any review of the CFP that we could have a fairer, more balanced and collegial approach at European level to try to find solutions that benefit all of us. However, I caveat all of that by saying it is a challenge in negotiations but I will certainly not be found wanting. With the support of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, we will fight the case of Irish fishermen and women to the greatest extent possible, notwithstanding our full understanding of the constraints we face. As I said, I will use all opportunities to seek additional access to quota for the Irish fishing fleet where this is possible. In 2024, Ireland successfully invoked the Hague preferences for mackerel. This is the first time that the Hague preferences had successfully been invoked for this species.”
“This arrangement is a mechanism for limited increase in the annual quotas for Irish fishermen. Any changes to the existing system of quota allocations would require a majority of member states to agree under the qualified majority voting system. Deputies will be aware that this would require other member states to give up existing quota shares. Any change to relative stability would involve a loss for some other member states and, therefore, present particular challenges in a qualified majority voting context. I am also conscious that there are some countries that do not fish their entire quota allocation but retain them anyway. I would like to see that changed but I am conscious of the challenges associated with that.”
“To that extent, we expect to be finalising that work in the coming months. I thank the office of the Secretary General which has engaged with Mr. Mulvey over the summer months and more recently in an effort to put in place capacity to facilitate, understand and to try to bring forward a comprehensive strategy there. The allocation of stocks between members states was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of member states over a period of reference years which is referred to as track record. The only exemption to this relates to the Hague preferences based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavily controlled responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU.”
“The programme for Government commits to publishing a five-year fishery sector strategy that will include an examination of the processing sector and to continue to support and promote improvements in fisheries and aquaculture. To progress this, I have engaged a facilitator, Mr. Kieran Mulvey, to work with seafood representative groups in order to identify and articulate issues, priorities and opportunities for the sector. These will be considered when I am setting out the terms of reference for the fisheries sector strategy. Mr. Mulvey is currently engaged in a series of meetings with stakeholders and I look forward to meeting with him to consider his insights as the development of a strategy for the long-term future of the fisheries sector has never been more important.”
“Two are Exchequer-funded - specifically, the fleet safety and marine tourism schemes. Many Members will be aware that I have placed a heavy emphasis on personal engagement with the seafood sector since I was appointed to this role in February. The engagement has never been more important than it is now and I am finding industry representatives more united than ever before. They make their case with professionalism and clarity and I thank them for the way in which they have engaged with me and with the Department over recent months, particularly at a time of great crisis for them. I can understand their frustration at times but at all times I see in their professionalism and steadfastness a desire to work through the current crisis.”
“The programme is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, 2021 to 2027. Schemes for industry under the SDP are primarily implemented by Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Separately to the SDP, the Department also funds and supports services provided by Bord Bia and the agrifood sector, including seafood. These are assessed by seafood processors, in particular marketing, innovation and new product development, etc. Funding supports are also provided to the commercial seafood sector by Enterprise Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Fourteen schemes have been, or will be, implemented by BIM this year on behalf of our Department under the SDP and the majority of these are co-funded under EMFAF.”
“These metrics clearly demonstrate the resilience of the sector despite the significant challenges in recent years and its capacity to pivot and adjust to a changing environment. This progress would not be possible without strategic and well-targeted investment, both public and private. I also recognise the appetite for the investment community to continue to put moneys back into this sector. That really needs to be recognised and welcomed. Through the seafood development programme the Government is delivering essential support to strengthen competitiveness and support sustainability and employment across the sector. More generally, funding for supports for the commercial seafood sector are provided under the seafood development programme.”
“The report shows a value growth of 25% in the aquaculture sector, which is also encouraging. I have made it a feature of the role I hold to try to see where we can continue to grow the aquaculture sector. I am conscious that the licensing issue is currently an impediment in that regard. We are working with officials in our Department to try to find a resolution to that so we can ensure, where possible, the aquaculture sector is explored to the greatest opportunity and extent in a positive way that ensures we get increased exports and additional employment at home at a time when we are facing very particular constraints within the catching sector for those pelagic stocks.”
“To reflect, for a moment, amid the current challenges, I refer to the BIM Business of Sea Food Report 2024. This offers a comprehensive assessment of the economic impact of the seafood sector. The report tells us that the Irish seafood industry is valued at €1.24 billion. That is an increase of 4% on 2023. I am conscious that some of these numbers can be somewhat distorting of the facts, particularly when we are facing a crisis, but it is important to put those headline figures on record. The sector employs almost 8,000 people directly across fishing, aquaculture and processing, and a total of almost 17,000 people when indirect employment is included. Fish landings in Ireland were valued at €461 million in 2024, with €325 million coming from the Irish vessels and €136 million from non-Irish vessels.”
“It is critical to ensure these stocks are fished in a sustainable manner and that comprehensive agreements can be reached governing fishing opportunities for the coming year. Also of paramount importance is that third countries do not set unjust unilateral quotas that deplete this precious resource. The emerging situation is extremely challenging. I wish to reassure the House that, as Minister of State with special responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I recognise the importance of maintaining a vibrant fishing sector, both for the communities that rely on them and for the wider economy. The programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, reflects this approach by committing to securing a sustainable future for the fisheries sector while supporting coastal communities that rely on this activity for their livelihood.”
“The Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has also been briefed on this, as has the Tánaiste, by people from the sector, to explore options within the constraints of both the EU and national Exchequer funding and the relevant EU and national legislation, in particular taking account of the constraints imposed under EU state aid rules. I am acutely aware, too, that processors require fish, not handouts. The reality of the situation requires emergency interventions. I have spoken to fisheries Ministers in other member states since my appointment and have consistently worked towards building common positions on issues that are of relevance to our sector and its specifics. A strong and common European position is in the best interests of all fishing parties.”
“In the meantime, a range of supports continue to be available to the sector to support seafood promotion, capacity building, new product development, new market opportunities and capital investment. As I said, I will be visiting China next week. Our seafood exports to China are particularly strong, showing growth of more than 50% in the year to date. I am committed to working with other Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in this very difficult context. I have had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. I have raised the matter with the Taoiseach and intend to have further conversations with him. The senior Minister, Deputy Heydon is here and he has been appraised of the issues. Together we will work to assist insofar as possible.”
“Next week, together with colleagues, I will visit China on a trade mission to support that fishing sector, as well as pork and dairy products. It is a very important market for us and one which, with the assistance of Bord Bia, we continue to promote. The pelagic processors account for €122 million of the €947 million value of the overall sector and ten of the 95 seafood processing companies in the industry. Together with departmental officials, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Bord Bia, we will work with the pelagic processors to fully assess and analyse the impact of reductions that will take effect in 2026, and to identify ways in which these processors may be supported.”
“This assessment, which involves a public consultation process along with expert contributions from the Marine Institute and BIM, is an essential step in Ireland's preparation for the autumn negotiations on fishing opportunities for the forthcoming year. The sustainability impact assessment highlights the potential for significant impacts on the Irish fishing industry. While we have seen clearly the potential impact on the catching sector, the recent ICES advice, particularly in respect of mackerel, is of significant concern to a number of processors who process pelagic fish and ship their product to markets across the world. Mackerel is Ireland's most valuable catch, worth about €94 million in exports last year to premium European and Asian markets. It is now below the safe biological limit.”
“The EU Commission needs to identify and adopt suitable measures to respond to this crisis and bring forward measures regarding third countries that fail to co-operate and that allow unsustainable fishing of stocks of common interest to the European Union. There are tools under Regulation (EU) No. 1026/2012 to impose trade restrictions on countries undermining stocks. The programme for Government recognises the valuable role of fisheries in this country and the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihoods. Furthermore, it notes the commitment of this Government to defend Irish interests in the context of fisheries negotiations between the EU and third countries. Last week, I presented a sustainability impact assessment to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs.”
“This provided a further opportunity to discuss the scientific advice. The issue of unsustainable fishing of key pelagic stock such as mackerel by certain coastal states outside the EU has been raised by Ireland repeatedly over the years. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in June and again in September I highlighted Ireland's concerns regarding Norway's actions in setting excessive and unsustainable mackerel quotas. We could be looking at an even more serious scenario in 2027 for mackerel, so it is important that we take a co-ordinated approach now. We cannot accept a business-as-usual approach in dealing with Norway.”
“Service industries include engineering, net mending and factories that have built up over 50 years around ports like Killybegs and Castletownbere. Following the publication of the advice, I met with fishermen and fisherwomen in Killybegs on Sunday, 5 October, to hear those concerns. They are very clear that years of unchecked overfishing by Norway, Iceland, the Faroes and the Russian Federation have pushed mackerel to the brink. The North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group, NAPA, represents global seafood buyers and retailers. It confirms that over 1 million tonnes of mackerel have been caught above scientific advice over the past five years. This is not a new problem. It is a failure of enforcement. On 8 October, I met with relevant stakeholder groups as part of the annual sustainability impact assessment process.”
“Regarding mackerel, this follows a reduction last year of 22% compared with advice for 2024. This is also on top of a 26% reduction as a result of Brexit. The Celtic Sea whitefish fleet faces an even bleaker prospect, with cod, haddock and whiting quotas facing zero-catch recommendations. What is facing the Irish fleet in 2026 is a reduction in opportunities right across the sector. We must consider the socioeconomic implications of these recommendations. If the cuts proposed are translated into fishing opportunities for 2026, this will challenge the economic viability and the scale of the Irish fishing sector. These cuts will starve fish processing businesses of raw material. They will impact the services industry that supports the seafood sector in coastal communities.”
“I will try not to use my full time because I am conscious that a number of Members want to contribute, and I will facilitate that. I thank the Deputies for seeking the opportunity for statements on fishing. It is timely considering the recent developments in the discussions and negotiations for fishing opportunities for 2026 but also as a chance to discuss other important issues and concerns affecting the fisheries sector. I will deal with the recent developments for the pelagic stock first. On 13 September, the International Council for Exploration of the Seas, ICES, published deeply concerning advice for widely distributed pelagic stock in 2026. The advice recommended a 70% reduction in the total allowable catch for mackerel in 2026, as well as a reduction of 41% for blue whiting and 22% for boarfish.”
“I am looking forward to continued engagement here tomorrow as we have set aside three and a half hours to discuss this very issue. The Government remains committed to assisting the sector and recognises the significant threat and challenges we face.”
“We have to begin a process of a wider trade issue between the European Union and Norway in particular. Since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries and the marine, I have sought every opportunity to engage with all the stakeholders directly and I will continue to work with fishermen and women, processors, co-operatives and aquacultural operators to build a sustainable future for Ireland's fishing industry, which has shown itself to be resilient in the face of unprecedented challenges. I am also conscious it will require the wider support of the Government and to this extent, as I have said, I have spoken to a number of colleagues. It is my intention to prepare initially a memorandum of information for Government, which the Minister, Deputy Heydon, will forward and address at Cabinet level.”
“I thank Deputy Gallagher for his continued support. I have made it very clear to officials who negotiate on our behalf in advance of Council meetings that it cannot be business as usual. Today I instructed officials to vote against any access to blue whiting in European waters for Norway. I intend to maintain this position throughout. I accept we do not have a veto and that a blocking minority will be difficult. Notwithstanding this, we have to make it very clear, particularly as a country that will suffer most as a result of this overfishing and this unilateral allocation of quota, that we cannot allow a state that has robbed us of our breakfast, lunch and tea to expect we should hand it something in return. I do not believe this is acceptable or appropriate.”
“The sustainability impact assessment highlights the potential for significant impacts on the Irish fishing industry. I am committed to working across Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector at this very difficult time. I am conscious that fishermen and fisherwomen are not looking for handouts. They would far prefer to be getting fish to catch, process and sell to end users. I have had discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans. I have obviously spoken to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to explore options within the constraints of EU and national Exchequer funding and the relevant EU and national legislation, in particular taking account of constraints imposed by EU state aid rules.”
“The programme for Government recognises the valuable role fisheries will play in the future of this country and in the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihood. Furthermore, it notes the commitment of the Government to defend Irish interests in the context of further negotiations between the EU and third countries. Last week, I presented that sustainability impact assessment to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs to provide clear discussion at parliamentary level. We will have a debate on the issue here tomorrow. The assessment involved a public consultation process. Along with expert contributions from the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, this is an essential step in Ireland's preparations for the autumn negotiation on fishing opportunities for the forthcoming year.”
“As the Deputy said, I met fishermen, fisherwomen and other interested parties in Killybegs on 5 October. On 8 October, I met relevant stakeholder groups as part of the annual sustainability impact assessment process. This provided a further opportunity to discuss that scientific advice. At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in June and again in September, I highlighted Ireland's concerns regarding Norway's action in setting excessive and unsustainable mackerel quotas. I made it clear to the Commissioner and other member states that we need to take action to protect this important stock and send a clear message that actions that threaten the sustainability of our shared stocks are not acceptable to the EU.”
“Killybegs is one of the prime examples of a fishing community that has developed the sector well through the foresight and ingenuity of some great people from a different era and made it what it is. It now sees a life's work and generational work counting for naught if this continues. From what the Deputy has said and from what we are all aware of, it is very clear that an unfortunate situation has been allowed to develop. A number of coastal states, of which Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands form a trio, have, through the unilateral allocation of quotas, engaged in a considerable amount of overfishing. Elements of the industry would indicate that over the past five years about 1 million tonnes have been fished above what would be acceptable based on scientific advice. That has had a huge impact on fish stocks.”
“I thank Deputy Gallagher for raising this important issue. I also thank him for his guidance through this. As somebody with vast experience of the sector and an intimate knowledge at European level, he has been a source of good and wise counsel to me over recent months on this issue. He has identified the scientific advice now providing the backdrop to this and which will guide the total allowable catch for the pelagic sector for 2026, which was released on 30 September. I am acutely aware of the scale these reductions will have and the grave concerns for the seafood sector as a result, in particular in coastal communities which are so dependent on fishing from an economic and socioeconomic perspective.”
“I am particularly conscious that the pelagic sector is one which the Irish fleet and Irish entrepreneurs and fishermen have really developed over the years. It is a credit to them, their ingenuity and hard work when you look at what Killybegs has become. I do not need to tell the Deputy that, particularly as he was born and raised in that region and has seen how it has been transformed. It has allowed people to work there and for a younger population to regenerate and not be scourged by the emigration that bedevilled the communities around Killybegs back in the fifties and sixties.”
“I am conscious of the economic impact on our coastal communities. In successive programmes for Government, we set out a desire to continue to support coastal communities. The Deputy is right; it is through allowing fishers to catch and process fish that we support those communities. I will have to be guided by the scientific advice, as other Ministers have been previously. I know the sector does not want handouts or supports. We will have to look at a framework by means of which we can support the communities and sectors to work through what is without doubt the most difficult challenge it will have faced in its existence, and certainly since the introduction of the Common Fisheries Policy and our accession to the European Union.”
“We will have to find a way to support the sector through a 70% cut until such a time as we see the biomass improve and stocks recover in line with the conservation methods set out in the scientific advice.”
“I full concur with the Deputy's analysis and vast experience. His name is regularly mentioned at the Council and in the European Parliament regarding the interest he has had not just for the Irish fishing sector but also for the sector at a wider European level. His insights were of particular importance. He is right in identifying that the fishing sector paid a particular price with the transfer of 26% of the mackerel quota for continued access to EU waters. There was a cut based on scientific information last year of approximately 20% in terms of our quota. There was 26%, followed by 20% and now a proposed cut in line with scientific advice of over 70%. By any yardstick, that is devastating. What gives me the energy to keep going is that we got support through the Brexit adjustment reserve with the cut of 26%.”
“With colleagues across the Government and across member states, we will have to look to other tools outside of what would be in the Common Fisheries Policy, CFP, or within the preserve of Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, DG MARE, to see how we can ensure Norway shows a much greater level of respect for the necessity to conserve stocks in line with the total allowable catch that is identified by ICES. This continued unilateral allocation of quota that is not based on scientific evidence is damaging, in an existential way, the future of our fishing sector.”
“I had a preliminary conversation with the Taoiseach, and with the Minister for public expenditure, Deputy Chambers, to put them on notice of the scientific advice and the impact that will have on the sector. There are medium-term and long-term situations that have to be addressed. I have begun that conversation with other member states and with the Commission about how we address the significant level of overfishing that has taken place as a result of the unilateral allocation of quota by third countries, particularly those in the coastal states outside the Union, principally Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.”
“I thank Deputy Gallagher for his interest in this matter. It is something he has been in regular contact with me about both in advance of the scientific advice being released and since then. I know, in particular, of his interest in the Killybegs area and the significant shock this will bring to the community of Killybegs, not just to those directly involved in the processing and catching sectors but also to all of the ancillary businesses that make up the ecosystem around the sector. In the first instance, I have raised this matter with the European Commissioner to examine what framework could be put in place to address the significant cut.”
“As the Deputy will know, a review of the Common Fisheries Policy has been initiated. That may lead to changes in time. The issue of Norway's unilateral grab of quota certainly has to be prosecuted outside of DG MARE and the discussions around fish quotas. It is often raised with me by those within the sector that, where mackerel is used as a feedstock for the production of fishmeal, it finds its way back into the European market through tariff-free salmon from Norway. That is anathema to how we should be managing our resources. Wider discussions will have to take place across various different directorates. I know colleagues are discussing this issue at Government level. We need to come forward with a whole-of-government response rather than a response from the silo of fisheries alone.”
“The responsibility on Government now is to move quickly to secure what we can at European level at the December meeting of the Council and to determine how best to give direction to the sector as to how we are going to manage the allocation of the quota with Norway. We can then look at what supports are available within the significant restraints imposed by state aid rules. I look forward to working with the Deputy and others on this matter.”
“The Deputy is right. Over the past five years, 1 million tonnes more than advised was caught. If you go back over ten years, I believe it would be 2 million. It has been consistent. The Union has accepted it and, as a result, we are seeing destruction prevail. The word "Armageddon" has been used and it is hard not to accept that when you consider the impact on Ireland, particularly with regard to pelagic stock and the loss of 26% of our mackerel quota in the Brexit negotiations. Those negotiations were difficult and had a very significant negative impact. Last year, we had a 20% cut in our mackerel quota based on scientific advice. These two losses combined were significant. This year, the remainder is to be cut by 70%. In my view, it is not an exaggeration to use the word "Armageddon". It is a clear reality.”
“I assure the Deputy that I am committed to working closely across Government Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in the context of EU state aid rules and within the constraints of both EU and national Exchequer funding. To this end, I have had initial discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.”
“The sustainability impact assessment, which involves a public consultation process along with expert contributions from the Marine Institute and BIM, is an essential step in Ireland’s preparation for the fishing opportunity negotiations. I presented the assessment to the Oireachtas joint committee today. The programme for Government emphasises the valuable role of fisheries in the future of our country and the communities that rely on this activity for their livelihood. I will be engaging further with stakeholders at this critical time to ensure their interests are robustly represented at domestic, European and international level.”
“Ireland has repeatedly raised the overfishing of mackerel by some coastal states outside the EU over recent years. I will continue to highlight this critical issue for our fishermen and fisherwomen and to engage intensively with the European Commissioner for fisheries and other member states on possible actions to protect our stocks. I met with concerned fishermen and fisherwomen in Killybegs on Sunday, 5 October, to hear their concerns regarding the advice. Last week, I met with relevant stakeholder groups as part of the annual sustainability impact assessment process. I also attended the committee today to discuss the same issue. That meeting with stakeholders provided a further opportunity to discuss the scientific advice and other challenges facing the sector. The Deputy knows those other challenges because he has identified them.”
“I know the Deputy has a significant interest in this area. He has been in regular contact with me about the matter. As he will know, on 30 September, the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea published its advice for widely distributed pelagic stocks for 2026. The ICES advice forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing total allowable catches and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with third countries such as the UK. As the Deputy has identified, the advice suggests a reduction of 70% for mackerel, 41% for blue whiting and 22% for boarfish. The scale of the reduction in the ICES-recommended total allowable catches for these important pelagic stocks is deeply concerning and will impact significantly on the Irish seafood sector.”
“In virtually all cases, they are the custodians of the waterways. They act to preserve and protect that resource in a respectful way. I met some of the anglers from the Corrib. I think I was due to meet them this week but due to other events meetings had to be postponed. I am happy to have ongoing dialogue with them. The Deputy fed into the provision in the programme for Government about the protection and preservation of the salmon stocks in the Corrib region. I look forward to ongoing dialogue with him. My office will be in touch in relation to setting up a meeting with IFI.”
“I understand the anglers' perspective, but IFI is charged with the conservation of the Atlantic salmon stock. It is conscious of the protection and preservation of that species in all its forms. There is a concern that once the stock is above the conservation limit, it is not justified. At the time it was there before the conservation limit was under pressure, there was also an exercise in trying to understand the patterns of return. That was a separate project which is no longer relevant from IFI's perspective. Knowing his interest in this area, I will ask IFI officials to meet the Deputy and share with him all the details and data in order that he can understand the reasons behind this. I recognise that anglers are an important part of the ecosystem relating to our fisheries.”