Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 December 2021
215. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific actions his Department is taking to support the fishing industry and ensure that they have adequate supply to sell to maintain their incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59268/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific actions his Department is taking to mitigate the negative impact of Brexit on the fishing industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59269/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.
I established a Seafood Sector Task Force in March 2021 to examine the impacts on our fishing sector and coastal communities of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement and to make recommendations to me on initiatives that could be taken to provide supports for development and restructuring so as to ensure a profitable and sustainable fishing fleet and to identify opportunities for jobs and economic activity in coastal communities dependent on fishing.
I received the report of the Task Force on 11th October and it makes recommendations for a broad range of support schemes to assist the seafood sector and coastal communities to mitigate the impacts of the TCA, including temporary and permanent cessation schemes for the fishing sector, liquidity support schemes, capital investment schemes, marketing supports, marine infrastructure renewal and enhanced community led local development through the seven Fisheries Local Action Groups.
I am urgently examining the Task Force report with a view to quickly implementing a comprehensive response to the impacts of the TCA on our fishing sector and coastal communities. The measures recommended in the report are actively being examined with particular regard to available funds, eligibility of the recommended measures for funding under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve and with regard to State Aid rules and the Public Spending Code.
