Irish fishing quotas
Senator O'Reilly condemned the EU fisheries outcome, arguing Irish fishing communities were ignored and that Irish waters are being exploited while domestic fishermen are disadvantaged.
After the recent EU meeting on fisheries, it feels like the efforts put in by fishing communities, the fishing industry, me and colleagues on the fisheries committee were completely pointless. We are gutted with the results. Belgium's coastline is barely longer than Wicklow's and yet it gets 16 times more quota than Irish fishermen. Our waters are rich in resources but our fishermen cannot fish these resources. They must sit with their boats tied up and watch while other countries like Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands pillage and plunder our natural resources. Consecutive governments have sold out our sugar beet farmers, turfcutters and fishermen. They have sat back and watched our country being robbed. Countries like Norway make €15 billion a year on seafood exports but our fishermen now have to rely on subsidies. Where is the fairness for Ireland or our coastal communities in this? Make no mistake about it: it is going to be the exact same for our beef farmers if the Mercosur deal is pushed through.
Fishermen were guaranteed the Hague preferences as their safeguard. They were deceived, much like the beef farmers are being deceived by the proposed safeguards for them. I know, and Irish farmers know, that if Mercosur is passed, any safeguards will be in name only. As long as the bigger EU states are thriving and using Ireland as a stepping stone to get ahead, there will not be a second thought paid to our industries. It is estimated that our fishing sector will lose €200 million next year and the estimated loss for beef farmers would be around €135 million if Mercosur is passed. You might as well close the gates on Killybegs and Castletownbere after the decision in Europe.
The question must be asked. We have been a net contributor to Europe since 2013. What is in it for us? The EU speaks of solidarity but there has been no solidarity for Irish fishermen. They have been totally abandoned and have no option but to make a stand and make it clear to Europe that the Irish people are not pushovers. We must bring this to court.