Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
853. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he has in mind plans to compensate families dependent on the fishing industry who may lose out in Brexit discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42062/20]
View answerAs the Deputy knows, the EU-UK Trade negotiations are ongoing at present and it is therefore not possible to say what, if any, impacts the outcome may have for our seafood industry. When we know the outcome of those discussions, I will examine the implications, if any, for Ireland's seafood sector and indeed the wider agri-food sector, and discuss Ireland's views with the European Commission and other Member States.
My Department's European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Programme continues to offer financial supports to fishermen, aquaculture enterprises, seafood processors and coastal communities for a broad range of measures, including capital investment, professional advice, innovation, marketing, training and capacity building, fisheries management, and socio-economic development. Any supports I make available must be within the confines of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Regulation and EU State Aid rules.
