I acknowledge the efforts of the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I have worked with him over the past number of months meeting fishing sector representatives. I know how many times he has travelled back and forth to Europe to try to establish some sort of coalition and get other countries on board for, at the very least, invoking the Hague preferences. He did what he could. He used his vote in the way he should have to try to ensure that the Hague preferences came through but, as we know, there was a betrayal. That is the word he has used. I acknowledge his efforts. This was a betrayal. The same countries that sought to block this measure, which Ireland has necessarily benefited from in previous years, gained significant access to Irish waters to the detriment of our own fleet. That is what makes this all the more galling and painful for the Irish fishing sector. Many species were previously abundant around Irish waters. Because of the Common Fisheries Policy, Ireland has paid a significant price. It has not benefited from the quota share that should have been available to it over previous years. Ireland had a 6% share of the hake quota. Ireland's portion of the haddock quota was at times 10% or lower. The quota for monkfish, which is another species that is caught in Irish waters, was sometimes down at approximately 7%. For sole, which is available off the Irish coast, the quota was approximately 5%. There was also a cut of 40% to the total allowable catch for blue whiting, which was once abundant in Irish waters, because of scientific advice. It is clear, and I do not think that anyone disagrees, that the CFP has not worked for the fishing sector when we consider the previously rich fishing grounds and abundance of those species in Irish waters. With those smaller quotas, we had at least the ability to invoke Hague preferences and, unfortunately, a few other countries have acted in a certain way. The Minister of State, Deputy Dooley, has been clear about where he stands. I admire that he has not been afraid to call out those actions. We have not been able to avail of the benefit of the Hague preferences. I commend the response of those in the fishing sector. While they are probably disappointed, angry and frustrated, they have not once questioned, at least to my knowledge, the scientific advice. They appreciate the importance of protecting these species. They appreciate the importance of protecting the stocks. They know they have to listen to the scientists. What really galls them in this situation is the fact that third nations completely ignore and disregard the scientific advice. That is the core of the issue. EU nations have enjoyed a large quota share, especially for species that are caught in Irish waters. However, the actions of third nations that have pillaged these species and disregarded scientific advice are the real core of the issue. This is important. Of course, I am speaking today on behalf of the fishing sector in west Cork, in places such as Kinsale, Union Hall and Castletownbere, which is impacted by this. I am also speaking as the Minister of State with responsibility for biodiversity. When countries ignore scientific advice, it does not only injure what could be a thriving fishing sector in Ireland but also impacts biodiversity, cetaceans and the marine wildlife that rely on these species. The pelagic, polyvalent, whitefish and inshore sectors are impacted. We must mention the impact this is going to have on what could be a vibrant, sustainable inshore sector in Ireland. This will be felt throughout the entire sector. When the quotas for species such as mackerel and whiting are cut to such an extent, it causes displacement. The fishing sector is, rightly, going to have to look for alternative stock and species to catch. This will cause issues throughout the sector. I know the Minister of State is committed. I know he will be meeting the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy Chambers, as will I, to ensure that adequate financial supports are put in place, as Deputy Mac Lochlainn said, to get them through this incredibly difficult period for the fishing sector. It is tough because we know that as an island nation with a relatively small fleet, we could have a vibrant, sustainable fishing sector. It could be sustainable in terms of jobs and those participating in fishing, but also sustainable from a nature and biodiversity point of view. We must call it out: the Common Fisheries Policy is not serving us in that regard. I again commend the Minister of State, Deputy Dooley. I know he has met not just representatives of the fishing sector but also Opposition Members. As he has said at committee and at every stage, he is listening to those in the fishing sector and working for them. He want to get results for them. He has my full support to ensure that we get the appropriate financial measures and that the task force is supported in identifying what those financial measures are and how they should be distributed. He has my full support. We need this result for coastal communities right around Ireland.

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