Becky Kealy: Save Our Irish Fishing Fleet, If We Want Next Generation

Kicking off the “Save our Irish Fishing Fleet” campaign in Cork, Aontú Rep for Cork North-West, Becky Kealy, has said we must act now if we want a next generation of Irish fishermen.

Rep Kealy: “Meeting with fishermen and representatives of the Irish South West fish producers organisation in Castletownbere on Saturday the 26^th February, I was deeply impacted by the words of these hard working men and women who fear for their the life of their very industry. One fishermen stated quite bluntly: ‘We are probably the last generation of Irish Fisher men and women in this country.’ This is an industry that was the sacrificial lamb of Brexit, and long since forgotten by both Brussels and Dublin. Another fisherman said “working at sea can be stressful and dangerous but fighting for our rights and equality here on land is proving much harder - the government don’t want to listen.” This government is long-deaf to rural Ireland, and the threatened existence of our fishing industry is testament to that abandonment by the Irish government.”

“It is incumbent upon us as political representatives, and also the public at large, to be aware, to be informed and to be vocal about what is happening to this vital industry – which if we do not fight for, will cease to exist. I am calling on the people to get active, to support their fishermen and to protect this imperative, indigenous industry of our own. The Chief Executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, Patrick Murphy, will be speak to me at a public meeting in the Munster arms hotel Bandon on Friday the 4^th of March at 7.30pm where he will in explain to the public what is happening. There will be a Q and A session after. Please attend this meeting if you can and spread the word, and contact saveourfleet@aontu.ie to save our Irish fishing fleet.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.