FISHING communities in Donegal are reeling after this weekend’s European Union agreement in Brussels, which has been described as a “betrayal” of the Irish fishing industry.
The deal includes quota reductions and the removal of long-standing protection mechanisms, which had safeguarded coastal fishing communities for nearly 50 years.
Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the country’s longest-established fish producer group, expressed the deep sense of “betrayal, shock and anger” within our coastal communities. Continued on page 3
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The Donegal man said Ireland had been let down at a European level, as the EU revoked a long-standing protection mechanism under the Common Fisheries Policy – the Hague Preferences.
The Hague Preferences, which has been in place for 49 years, served as a ‘safety net’ to protect Irish fishing interests and support coastal communities affected by quota cuts.
However, at this weekend’s meeting in Brussels, EU member states blocked this arrangement.
Aodh O’Donnell, CEO of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation.
Mr O’Donnell told the Donegal News there is a “deep sense of injustice” within the Irish fishing community.
“We have been let down by a number of member states, who have blocked us having our entitlements that have been there for 49 years.
“Now we have to question if the Common Fisheries Policy is fit for purpose?
“Should we allow access to our waters to other member states when they have reneged on their commitments?” Mr O’Donnell asked.
The Seafood Ireland Alliance, a coalition of major fishing and processing bodies, warned that the deal could result in a loss of approximately 57,000 tonnes of fishing quota next year.
They warned that the wider economic impacts could reach €200 million and put thousands of jobs at risk.
Mr O’Donnell also highlighted the serious economic consequences for coastal communities and the “major implications” in ports like Killybegs, which rely heavily on the fishing industry.
Donegal TDs have also strongly opposed the EU decision.
Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher TD described the removal of the Hague Preferences as a “predatory act” and said it must be legally challenged by the Irish Government.
The Fianna Fáil party’s spokesperson on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, slammed the conduct of France, Germany, Poland and the Netherlands, accusing them of “total aggression towards a small state”.
“It is obvious to all that the EU Commission has failed completely in its duty to protect small nations. It is also self-evident that the Danish Presidency failed to act impartially at the European Fisheries Council.”
He also spoke of the EU’s “double standards” and “anti-Irish fishing industry bias” at the heart of European policymakers.
“Meanwhile, in plain sight, these same countries are fishing 24/7 in our waters without any significant control or enforcement oversight,” he said.
Deputy Gallagher said he will be immediately seeking an emergency meeting of the Oireachtas Fisheries and Maritime Committee.
Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, echoed the same concerns, calling the outcome a “betrayal” of Ireland’s fishing industry.
“This is an absolutely appalling outcome,” said Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn.
“Even the last veneer of fairness left for Ireland in the Common Fisheries Policy, the decades old Hague Preferences, has been stripped away by greed and indifference,” said Deputy Mac Lochlainn.
“This has to be the final insult for Ireland. For too long, our governments have offered meek resistance to the injustice of the Common Fisheries Policy,” he added.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn spoke of how our territorial waters have been stripped of resources and overfished under the watch of the EU. He also spoke of the blow of Brexit, the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement to the already struggling industry.
He added that the EU have rewarded the “utter greed” of corporations and they have failed to defend vulnerable communities.
The Donegal Deputy said that there needs to be a radical reset of the approach of the Irish government, and called on the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to urgently intervene to make it clear that Ireland will not stand for this.
