Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn has welcomed the announcement that the government has reversed its decision to remove funding from the Sea Survival Centre at the Greencastle National Fisheries College.
Funding for the Centre was first announced in 2016, just before the General Election, but was withdrawn a few years later as it was about to go to construction, the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine said.
“This is another welcome decision, following the announcement to complete the breakwater at Greencastle Harbour. I congratulate the local community on successfully challenging the scandalous decisions to remove funding from both projects,” he added.
“However, what was clear from the recent protest in Dublin attended by large numbers of fishermen and fishing families from all across Donegal, including Greencastle and North Inishowen, is that the government have just not stood up for them and their just demand for a fair share of the fish in our Irish waters.”
Deputy MacLochlainn said the outcome of Brexit and the EU/ UK Trade Agreement has only ‘made a bad situation worse’ and Donegal boats are still being locked out of fishing in Rockall.
“This investment in Greencastle must now be built upon by the government and by the local Minister for the Marine, Charlie McConalogue. They need to fight for fairness for our fishermen in Europe and they must secure a future in fishing for them”.
