Fishing industry given assurances they will be supported at meeting with the Taoiseach – Cronin

Representatives from the fishing industry recently met the Taoiseach who gave them a commitment that the sector would be supported and protected, a Fine Gael Councillor said.

Cork County Councillor and Local election candidate Caroline Cronin said the meeting provided an opportunity for the fishing industry delegation to discuss their priority issues with the Taoiseach at a Special Conference held by Fine Gael in Maynooth on November 18^th.

Councillor Cronin said: ““I have been a representative in the Cork South West area for almost two years and my husband is an inshore fisherman, so fishing is essential to the livelihood of my family and I have a first-hand understanding of the issues and challenges facing the fishing industry.

“We expressed deep gratitude for a very successful meeting with the Taoiseach at the Special Conference in Maynooth on November 18^th, with the meeting also including representatives from Killybegs and Castletownbere.

“The meeting addressed various subjects such as heavy-handed oversight of the industry, fishing quota sharing, pelagic fishing, demersal fishing, inshore fishing, aquaculture, and fish processing.

“Resolving the issue of insufficient quotas is vital to sustaining our fishing industry. This follows the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and quota transfers to the UK which will have an impact on Ireland’s industry.

“Our fisheries sector is one of the sectors most impacted by Brexit so it is vital everything can be done to assist the sector and coastal communities in addressing the impacts of the quota cuts.

“During Fine Gael’s special conference, various pressing issues within the fishing industry were discussed.

“The meeting held particular importance as it was ahead of the recent visit of Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, to Ireland.

“The Taoiseach attentively listened and assured us that he would raise these important issues with the Commissioner. We are very optimistic that the industry will receive the necessary support going forward,” Councillor Cronin concluded.