I have met the National Inshore Fishermen's Association and other representatives of the inshore sector and I am aware of the challenges facing the inshore fisheries sector. I am taken by its resilience and capacity to manage through difficult times. I am fully aware of the concerns raised. However, Ireland's current €258 million Seafood Development Programme 2021-2027, which is co-funded by the Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, EMFAF, is the primary source of funding for the Irish commercial seafood sector. including the inshore sector. The Department has reviewed all funding mechanisms available, either through the seafood development programme or other state aid routes to ascertain if there is a possibility of introducing a financial stabilisation scheme for inshore fishermen. Ireland, as an EU member state, is required to comply with the state aid regulations and the European Commission oversees the application of state aid rules among member states. Failure to comply with state aid rules, such as a failure to provide notification to the European Commission or implementing the aid without approval, can result in the member state being required to recover any aid provided. These rules also provide for added interest to be applied. Article 107(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union defines state aid as any aid granted by a member state, or through state resources in any form whatsoever, which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods. Articles 107(2) and 107(3) provide for exceptions where state aid can be compatible with the Internal Market, such as aid to promote regional economic development, as well as research and innovation. Most state aid has the potential to disrupt trade within the EU. As the managing authority for the EMFAF programme in Ireland, there is a range of projects and industry supports to the inshore sector, provided by agencies of the Department under the programme. These include the small-scale coastal fisheries scheme; the inshore fisheries conservation scheme - the v-notching programme; the seafood training scheme; and the seafood capacity building scheme. In addition to these, a scheme specifically for the inshore fleet was implemented in 2024 and 2025 under the seafood development programme.

Sentiment score: 0.04

In my initial answer to the Deputy's question, I wanted to set out the parameters under which future decisions might be taken or any work done. I will continue to engage with Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs in that regard. We have a clear policy position to support the inshore sector. That is why, by October of this year, there will be a total ban on trawling within the six-mile limit on vessels above 18 m to ensure the improved viability of the inshore sector. It is not as if the Government, the Minister, Deputy Heydon, the Minister of State, Deputy Collins, and I are standing back from our responsibility. We recognise there is a crisis. We are doing everything in our power and have not at all ruled out the possibility of putting a case to the European Union or the Commission in due course. That has to be appropriately thought through and structured. We have appointed an independent chair, Michael Berkery, under the Food Vision programme to do a full analysis of market conditions as a result of quota loss, etc. When that report comes through we will make further determinations based on its findings.

Sentiment score: 0.08

The Berkery report will be published shortly. That report was guided by the exceptional crisis arising from the significant loss in quota as a result of the scientific advice of last year. That is the direct response. The Mulvey report was broad based. It set out to ascertain where the sector is at, so it had a different requirement from the Berkery report. I will set out what is happening at European level. An evaluation was done of the Common Fisheries Policy. Our preferred option is that we now move to a significant review of the CFP. It is in that context that European agreement can be reached on addressing certain crises. Based on our experience, the Minister and I feel that were Ireland to put a proposal on its own, without the support of other member states, it might not land in the way we want. This is not just about making a request without having our homework done. It requires quite a bit of negotiation to secure broader support across the Union in order to effect necessary changes in the Common Fisheries Policy that address the kinds of requests that are coming. I fully understand the basis for that request and the need to address the viability of the inshore sector.

Sentiment score: 0.05