MEP Nina Carberry has pledged to defend Ireland’s fishing industry during the forthcoming review of the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA).
The Fine Gael representative is a key Irish figure on the International Trade Committee. The current trade agreement has posed significant challenges for Ireland’s fishing sector, with adverse effects that have rippled throughout the industry.
In preparation for the upcoming review, MEP Carberry recently met with Donegal Councillor, Manus Boyle, to discuss the implications of Brexit on Ireland’s fishing industry and the necessary reforms to the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This meeting, she said, underscored her commitment to working as an advocate for coastal and island communities, ensuring their voices are heard in the European Parliament.
MEP Carberry, recognising the critical importance of this sector to Ireland’s economy, said she is committed to advocating for a fairer deal that will better support Irish fisheries.
“As it stands, the TCA does not adequately protect Ireland’s fishing industry, which is a cornerstone of our coastal communities and a vital contributor to our economy,” she said.
“The seafood sector contributes €1.3 billion annually to the Irish economy and supports thousands of jobs. It is imperative that the TCA is revised to ensure a more equitable outcome for our fisheries.”
In addition to her efforts in Brussels, MEP Carberry is calling on the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, to allocate the remaining funds from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve Fund (BAR) to the fishing community as soon as possible.
“These funds are essential to help mitigate the impacts of Brexit on our fishing industry. The timely distribution of the remaining BAR funds will provide much-needed support to those who have been hardest hit,” Carberry emphasised.
In her role on the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, Carberry plans to bring these concerns to the forefront of discussions, working closely with stakeholders to secure a deal that recognises the importance of Ireland’s fishing industry.
“The upcoming Brexit trade review is a critical opportunity to address the imbalances in the current agreement. I will be fighting for a revision that protects Irish jobs, sustains our coastal communities, and ensures the long-term viability of our fishing industry,” Carberry concluded.
