Inshore Fisheries
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Timmy Dooley (FF), Clare

In my initial answer to the Deputy's question, I wanted to set out the parameters under which future decisions might be taken or any work done. I will continue to engage with Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in that regard. We have a clear policy position to support the inshore sector. That is why, by October of this year, there will be a total ban on trawling within the six-mile limit on vessels above 18 m to ensure the improved viability of the inshore sector. It is not as if the Government, the Minister, Deputy Heydon, the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, and I are standing back from our responsibility. We recognise there is a crisis. We are doing everything in our power and have not at all ruled out the possibility of putting a case to the European Union or the Commission in due course. That has to be appropriately thought through and structured. We have appointed an independent chair, Michael Berkery, under the Food Vision programme to do a full analysis of market conditions as a result of quota loss, etc. When that report comes through we will make further determinations based on its findings.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09