Donegal Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has challenged the Government’s current state of readiness within the Marine sector for Brexit.
He said the sector is the ‘poor relation’ when it comes to preparations for a post-Brexit context, as opposed to other sectors.
“Yet, it is without doubt that the Irish Marine sector potentially has the most to lose if Brexit comes unstuck through present negotiations,” Deputy Gallagher said.
“The Irish fish fleet depends greatly on access to UK and Scottish waters in catching their respective stocks.”
The Fianna Fáil TD is calling on the Minister for the Marine and the Government to immediately summon a meeting of the entire Marine sector to deal specifically with Brexit consequences for the entire industry.
“I request that the meeting focus on the potential chaos for the sector, the mayhem which will result in terms of access to UK and Scottish waters, potential for conflict at sea over fishing rights, even the threatened blockages of ports notwithstanding the massive destruction that will befall the Irish Fisheries Sector in a crash-out Brexit scenario.
“Presently, with the continued uncertainty, the routine fishing patterns have already been disrupted due to fear of not knowing what is to happen in the near future,” added Pat the Cope.
He said that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must act immediately and bring all seafood and Marine stakeholders together to set in place a forum specifically focused on Brexit.
“The months ahead will be without doubt the greatest challenges to face the Irish Marine sector in our lifetimes,” concluded Pat the Cope.
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