I join colleagues in expressing my deep disappointment at the decision taken by a group of EU member states to block that deployment of the Hague preferences for higher proportional quotas. That decision has left Ireland uniquely exposed to nearly 70% loss in the allowable catch for mackerel in this country, a reduction that would have been mitigated by this long-standing and agreed protection mechanism for Ireland. Mackerel is Ireland's most valuable catch, worth €94 million in exports last year to premium European and Asian markets. This reduction in quota will slash that figure by a huge amount - €82 million plus in one year - with combined losses to the wider economy in terms of processing and other activities being considerably higher. I know that catch limits have consistently exceeded levels recommended by conservationists and action has to be taken to replenish mackerel stocks in particular. However, it is not Irish coastal communities that have caused this devastating reduction. According to NAPA's figures recently, in one week alone in 2023, Norwegian vessels caught over 40,000 tonnes of mackerel. They caught over 40,000 tonnes of mackerel in one week alone. That single week's haul is worth more than Ireland's total allowable catch for all of 2025 and almost four times the recommended quota for 2026 under this deal. Very big numbers are being taken by other states. Ireland will undoubtedly be hit harder by these charges than these other states, yet it is Ireland that pays the price for their unsustainable fishing practices. I know, as does the Minister of State, just how important fishing is for our coastal communities. The Minister of State visited Howth harbour, in my constituency, with me and he was welcome there. He is always welcome to come out. It demonstrates the role this sector plays in sustaining the vibrancy of small but well-defined coastal communities. Howth is one of six big fisheries, as the Minister of State knows. I thank him for his visit. He saw the thriving local economy, supported by the harbour. Everything that happens around the harbour, commercial businesses, the activity in the harbour itself, seafood restaurants and tourism, leisure and all the other activities, are supported by the harbour itself. Communities like Howth will need meaningful supports over the coming months to respond appropriately to these challenges. I welcome the Minister of State's indication that he will bring a memo to Cabinet to start to try to address the fallout of this discussion while we continue to fight the case abroad. The significant support that we provide to farmers and to the agrifood sector must be replicated for fisheries. There is no choice. We have to do it. Fisheries are vital to the future of the country and to the communities that rely on them for their livelihood in so many different ways. Trust seems to have disintegrated between Ireland and the EU on fisheries policies. It looks like some of the larger member states have effectively prioritised their Mediterranean fleets and activities and failed to honour that protection mechanism that has been fundamental to the Atlantic-facing Irish fishing industry for so long. It is hard to avoid the conclusion that we are being pushed around by larger member states into accepting outcomes that favour larger fishing nations. The Minister of State has my full support and my colleagues' full support to continue to fight the cause on this issue for the communities that we represent. I encourage him again to bring that memo to Cabinet so we can support communities.

Sentiment score: 0.18