Over 200 people turned up to hear Midlands North West European election candidates’ views on fishing at a meeting in Killybegs on Wednesday night last.
The event was hosted by the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation and the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association.
IFPO chief executive Aodh O Donnell said ten candidates took part and attendees came from all segments of the industry – the catching, processing and services sectors. He described the meeting as a major milestone in putting fishing on the Irish political agenda.
They were sitting MEPs Chris MacManus (SF) and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (Ind). Others include Senator Lisa Chambers, (FF) Dr Brian O’Boyle (PBP); James Reynolds (TNP), Hermann Kelly (IFP), and Independents Peter Casey, Saoirse McHugh, Michelle Smith, and John Waters.
Senator Niall Blaney spoke from the audience.
IFPEA chief executive, Brendan Byrne told the meeting that fishing was in crisis due to government inaction and lack of fair distribution of EU quotas.
He said Ireland’s interests needed to be better represented at European level.
The meeting took place at the Tara Hotel and was also used to launch the joint IFPO/KFO/IFPEA #Fight4Fishing pre-election campaign.
KFO chief executive, Dominic Rihan, said they were delighted with both the turnout and the contribution that the local fishing community made to the debate.
He urged people to support the #Fight4Fishing campaign on social media and by asking canvassers questions about fishing on the doorsteps.
You can find out more about the campaign and how to support it on https://ifpo.ie/fight4fishing/
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