14. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [1822/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The AGRIFISH meeting in December last year at which quotas were set for this year for the entire European fishing fleet was the deepest and most severe shock that the Irish fishing industry has ever faced. The industry is on its knees, it is on the ropes and its demise is imminent unless there is action take. On 3 December, the Taoiseach met with Irish fishing industry representatives. On 11 December, the Taoiseach met with the Working Group of Committee Cathaoirligh at which I implored him to give his political support and take action to build political support at European level. A couple of days later, Ireland was isolated at European level and the Irish fishing industry was, once again, sacrificed on the altar of European commercial fishing interests. My colleague, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, submitted a freedom of information request to the Taoiseach's office seeking all outgoing correspondence, calls, logs and memorandums relating to it. It seems the Taoiseach did not lift a finger, lift a phone or do a tap to build political support.

Sentiment score: 0.15

The Taoiseach allowed the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, to go into those negotiations without any political support from him as Head of Government. It is not good enough. The Irish fishing industry and coastal communities have suffered because of the Taoiseach's failure to take political action.

Sentiment score: -0.47

You were out in Israel pointing at ceilings.

Sentiment score: 0.00

As have you.

Sentiment score: 0.00

There was not equitable distribution of stock for the Irish fishing fleet.

Sentiment score: 0.00

The Taoiseach is ignoring the truth.

Sentiment score: -0.10

30. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on Government co-ordination will next meet. [1823/26]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The latest South East Economic Monitor shows that while the south-east region has 9% of the country’s population, it has 4% of national GDP, 5% of IDA-supported jobs and just 1.8% of ongoing major public capital spending. Several times on Taoiseach’s Questions and Questions on Policy or Legislation, I have raised the lack of inward investment into Waterford and the south east, particularly in terms of transport with the Taoiseach. The economy of the south east is flatlining. There is neglect by the IDA and the Government when it comes to investment. Major capital spending in the south east is now the lowest of any region. It receives just €1,738 per person in major public capital investment, which is less than half the spend in the south west and 14 times less than Dublin. What is the Taoiseach going to do to address this imbalance to end the inequity and make sure that Waterford and the south east get the fair investment they deserve?

Sentiment score: -0.09

There were a couple of questions unanswered.

Sentiment score: 0.00