An Independent TD for Donegal has raised the issue of potential loss of earnings for Irish fishing crew in the case of a no-deal Brexit.
After speaking at the Committee for Agriculture, Food and the Marine this week, Thomas Pringle was given confirmation that crew fishermen, as well as boat owners and skippers, will be able to access compensation for loss of earnings from the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
The Donegal Deputy said: “I think this is a very positive confirmation, particularly for a fishing crew as they will likely suffer the loss of earnings if no-deal Brexit is in sight.
“However, I did raise concerns that because compensation must come out of existing funding within the EMFF this could inadvertently impact on existing projects.
“It will be important to take into account any impact compensation will have on existing projects.
“Another point I raised was the fact that factory workers in the fishing sector will not be able to access compensation in the same manner as fishing crew, boat owners and skippers.
“I believe this is wholly unfair as factory workers depend on the fishing sector for their income.
“The department stated that factory workers would have to claim income supports from social welfare which I do not believe will be sufficient enough to compensate for the loss of earnings.
“This could unfairly impact on seasonal workers in Donegal and elsewhere.”
Tags: