I stood with colleagues across the House two short months ago to ask the Minister of State to ensure the Government would start standing up to the EU and demanding fairness and justice for Irish fishing communities. Following the recent outcome of the EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Council, that demand is clearly being put to the test. This outcome is disastrous for our fishing industry. We need the Government to protect our fishermen and coastal communities, particularly those in the west, which is already recognised by the EU as a region that is underdeveloped and lagging behind other parts of Europe. In real terms, we are looking at vessels that could be at sea for fewer than ten or 12 days a year and factories that once worked three to five months a year down to two or three weeks. Fish processing is a major employer in Galway, particularly in Connemara, and this would have a devastating effect on jobs in an area that is already struggling in terms of employment. Fishers in Galway are looking for the Government to expand the quota. This outcome would do just the opposite. We cannot afford to take this without a fight. Bhí an tAire Stáit atá freagrach as an iascaireacht i Ros an Mhíl le déanaí liom féin agus le daoine eile agus is eol dó cé chomh tábhachtach atá cúrsaí iascaireachta in iarthar na hÉireann, i gConamara agus ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta. Tá a fhios againn go mbeadh sé uafásach dá gcuirfí na hathruithe seo ar chuala muid fúthu ón Aontas Eorpach i bhfeidhm. Tá sé thar am don Rialtas seo agus don Aire Stáit seasamh suas don Aontas Eorpach ar mhaithe leis na ceantair atá ag brath ar iascaireacht agus ar mhaithe leis na hiascairí iad féin agus a gcuid teaghlach. Tá sé fíorthábhachtach go ndéanfadh an tAire Stáit chuile shórt gur féidir leis chun an bealach maireachtála seo a chosaint chomh maith leis an eacnamaíocht atá ag brath air, is é sin, an eacnamaíocht ar fud iarthar na hÉireann agus ar an gcósta. Impím ar an Aire Stáit chuile shórt gur féidir leis a dhéanamh chun a chinntiú nach gcuirtear na hathruithe seo i bhfeidhm.

Sentiment score: -0.03