Inshore Fisheries
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-29
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Timmy Dooley (FF), Clare

I thank the Deputy for the question. I know that, like others, he has had a considerable ongoing engagement with all aspects of fisheries, and his input is welcome and being considered.
I am very aware of the challenges facing inshore fishermen and fisherwomen and have met with representatives of the sector, including the National Inshore Fishermen's Association, NIFA, on a number of occasions in recent months and have received a copy of the submission to which the Deputy refers. Our Department also engages regularly with representatives of the inshore sector, including NIFA, the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, IIMRO, and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum, NIFF, on developments affecting the sector.
There are many common challenges facing Ireland's seafood producers and many interdependencies across the fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. The reductions in quotas for 2026 present a significant and particular challenge to the affected fleet segments, with the potential for downstream impacts on inshore fishermen and fisherwomen and seafood processors.
When considering and developing the measures we can put in place to respond to these challenges, it is important we consider all impacts, and all opportunities, across the sector as a whole. That is why I have announced the establishment, with the support of the Minister, Deputy Heydon, of a group under the framework of our food vision strategy to consider and respond to the challenges facing the seafood sector. Preparatory work is under way to establish this group. I expect that it will be in place in the coming weeks. As I have previously indicated, Mr. Michael Berkery, former general secretary of the Irish Farmers Association, has been invited to act as the independent chair of this group. All fishery producer organisations will be invited to participate in the group, and it will provide the appropriate forum and opportunity for NIFA to outline the challenges its members face and to put forward the proposals outlined in its submission. This will allow its proposals to be considered in the wider context of challenges across the sector as a whole.
I do not intend to comment on the substance of NIFA's submission at this stage because to do so would pre-empt the work of the group we are establishing and would not necessarily be appropriate at this time. However, there will be plenty of opportunity, and I know the Deputy is an active participant in the fisheries and marine committee. As we work through the framework of this, I think we will have the opportunity to discuss it.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:34+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-29