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Fishery Harbour Centres

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (1521)

Denise Mitchell

Question:

1521. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fishery harbours under the remit of his Department he has visited to date in 2021; and the purpose of each visit. [41458/21]

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Written answers

The Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute.

I have had ongoing engagement with stakeholders in the Seafood Sector since I took office last year. Unfortunately, due COVID-19 restrictions I haven’t been able to engage with people on the pierside. In order to interact directly with members of coastal communities, during the month of May 2021, I held a series of virtual Townhall meetings with coastal communities around Ireland. These virtual meetings allowed me to hear directly from those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit and to hear their ideas about the future of their communities.

At these meetings, I gave an overview of the key issues that have faced the Fishing Industry since I took office, namely Brexit and COVID-19. I noted that the industry had worked with their counterparts in other Member States to assist in the development of a strong Irish position for EU negotiations. I also noted the additional burden on Ireland in respect of the transfer of quotas under the TCA which I am working to address.

I also took the opportunity to acknowledge the work of the seafood sector throughout the disruptions caused by COVID-19. I made reference to the Seafood Sector Taskforce which will advise on how best to support the sector. The establishment of this Task Force reflects the recognition by Government of the challenges facing the sector and the commitment to support the sector.

The contributions of the various participants at these virtual meetings were many and varied and I have taken note of, and been advised by them.

Subsequently in July, I personally visited Howth, Killybegs, Castletownbere and Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centres to meet directly with fishers, processors, fishing organisations and other stakeholders and listen first hand to the issues impacting on them. I also took the opportunity of my visits to the Fishery Harbour Centres, to visit key Local Authority owned piers with a large fishing tradition, such as Kilmore Quay and Union Hall, for the same purposes.

I have plans to visit two other Fishery Harbour Centres, namely, Dingle and Ros An Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centres, however, this will hopefully be in the Autumn but no date has been set at this time for these visits.

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