Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, has criticised cuts to the fisheries Budget for next year.
The Department of Agriculture’s €1.9 billion budget, down from €2.1 billion last year, was described by Minister McConalogue as having a clear focus on protecting farm and fisher incomes.
It’s reported that the allocation for fisheries and seafood for 2024 is €176.9 million, almost half of the allocation for 2023.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said that last year’s ‘record’ budget included the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund (BAR). He accused the Minister of taking credit for money that was ‘essentially a redundancy payment to Ireland’s fishing industry’.
Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: “Sinn Féin had proposed a range of measures for Budget 2024 including increased funding to fish producer organisations, support for small scale fish shops and processors, a continuity grant for the Irish inshore fishing fleet, increased safety equipment for inshore vessels, an improved budget for the Marine Institute, a guarantee fund under the Brexit Aquaculture Growth Scheme and a fuel support scheme for the fishing and seafood sectors. Total Sinn Féin additional funding to the Department of Marine budget would have been €24.1 million.
“It’s time for honesty from the government rather than dishonesty and spin. Our fisheries and seafood industry has been failed by this government.
“The last 12 months alone has seen production in the fishing industry down by 15%, the fleet reduced by 30%, Ireland’s fishing quota in our own waters down to less than 20%, and approximately 1,000 people at sea and ashore are losing their jobs.
“Like so much in Ireland today, it’s clear that a change of government is urgently needed to give our fishing and seafood industry hope of a brighter future.”
