The Irish Government Continue To Sell Out Fishing Industry To Brussels - Tóibín
As fishermen protest against the EU’s revocation of the control plan, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has hit out the government, stating that they sold out the Fishing Industry so the EU could secure a deal with Boris Johnson at the 11 th hour and continue to sell out Irish fishermen to please Brussels.
An Teachta Tóibín: “Whilst the Tories are reaping the benefits of Ireland’s and the EU’s capitulation on fishing rights, the Irish fishing industry is left fearing for its future. Now we have a farcical situation whereby there will be a 15% reduction in Irish fishing quotas and that non-Irish EU boats have the greatest fishing rights in Irish waters. Now the powers that be in Brussels have singled out Ireland as the first and only EU member state to see its weighing control plan revoked. The Commission has also suspended €25 million in co-funding, with over €37 million potentially at risk. The government have given away Irish fishing quotas and fishing rights to the EU lock, stock and barrel – and ignored the pleas from the sector.”
“Ireland contributes over €2.5 billion annually to the EU, with that amount to rise to €4 billion in the coming years. Ireland was the second highest per capita contributor to the EU budget, with no rebate on contributions. Yet time and time again, Brussels acts against Ireland’s interests – perhaps most egregiously towards our fishing sector. 34% of all fish caught by Irish boats are in British waters, now 25% of that share will have to be handed back to Britain by Irish boats. Irish fishermen were sold out by European politicians.
The EU agreed to give up 25% of the approximately €650 million in fish EU boats catch in British waters each year, over a period of five and a half years. Who is most affected by restrictions on access and fish in British waters? The Nation that is most proximate and in fact shares a border with Britain. The report published by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine showcases the damage the Irish fishing industry will have to sustain by 2026 only. According to Departmental projections, Ireland’s coastal share of fish will shrink by at least 15% in the next 6 years. The mean reduction in fishing quota per EU Member State is 9.83% - Ireland’s reduction significantly surpasses that loss.
In fact Ireland’s fishing industry is the joint highest loser with Germany. Now we are singled out for draconian punishment by the same European Commission that detriments our interests. When is this government going to stand by, and stand up for our fishermen?” concluded Tóibín
