1. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with an organisation (details supplied) to progress its proposal for an inshore fisheries income stabilisation and climate compensation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6545/26]

Sentiment score: 0.22

The Minister will know that the National Inshore Fishermen's Association has made a submission to all of us on an inshore fisheries income stabilisation and climate compensation scheme. Essentially, this would be a basic income scheme similar to that which was provided to artists in recent times. This is critical. As the Minister knows, in the past fishermen would have said, "We just want the fish; we do not want financial assistance." They need the latter now, and they will need it moving forward. I wish to engage with the Minister on that.

Sentiment score: 0.08

As the Minister of State knows, the impact of Brexit hurt all fishermen, not just offshore fishermen. There was no tie-up scheme and no fuel subsidy for inshore fishermen. They have really struggled, and I have seen a big change. As I said at the outset, when I talked about a support scheme similar to what farmers have received for many years, the initial response from fishermen all around the coast was that they just wanted to fish. I absolutely respect that, but we have now got to the point where I think the likes of a basic income scheme would allow them to fish but also to have some type of financial support. This is crucial for coastal communities and fishing communities. This is about protecting this crucial heritage for our people, as we did with artists, and rightly so. This is a timely proposal. I accept that the task force needs to be established. I ask that this happens as a matter of urgency and that we engage on these matters, make quick decisions and get these financial supports to fishermen.

Sentiment score: 0.09

I welcome that. It is crucial that the likes of NIFA, NIFF, the regional inshore fisheries forums, RIFFs, and the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation, IIMRO, are at the table too. There are about 900 inshore fishermen, according to NIFA. Imagine if we could protect their livelihoods with a basic income scheme, which would mean that they would not have to go on the dole. It is economically sensible to do this, as we did with artists, but such a scheme would acknowledge that it is just not sustainable any more for them to be on their own and try to earn a living due to conditions beyond their control, including climate, increased costs and so on. This is a really positive contribution. It is real leadership from NIFA on this issue. My view is that it has been coming for a long time. There will be engagements in the Oireachtas fisheries committee on this soon. I imagine there will be strong cross-party support for this proposal. We need to deliver it in the short term as opposed to the medium or long term. I look forward to continued engagement with the Minister of State.

Sentiment score: 0.31