Collins calls out Taoiseach’s “cruel irony” as Irish fishing communities left behind

Michael Collins TD, Leader of Independent Ireland, has today condemned what he described as “a staggering display of hypocrisy” by the Taoiseach following his remarks in Nice, where he pledged for Ireland to become a world leader on maritime policy.Speaking in response to Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s address at the United Nations Ocean Conference, Collins said it was “a cruel irony” for the head of a Government that has overseen the systematic decimation of Ireland’s fishing industry to now present himself as a global champion of the seas.

"Just last week I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the fishermen of Kilmore Quay in County Wexford,” Collins said. “The story is the same from West Cork to Wexford, from Galway to Donegal — Irish fishermen are being regulated out of existence. They can’t fish their own coastline, their quotas have been gutted, and the Government that should be defending them has thrown them to the wolves.”

Deputy Collins added that while the Taoiseach is shaking hands with world leaders and speaking of oceanic sustainability, coastal communities in Ireland are collapsing under the weight of policy decisions made in Dublin and Brussels.“This Government talks about marine biodiversity and global leadership while it oversees the slow death of traditional fishing livelihoods. Irish boats are tied up in harbours while massive foreign vessels plunder our waters. What leadership is that?”

Collins confirmed that he will be seeking urgent engagement with Minister Timmy Dooley, newly appointed Minister for the Marine, to press for immediate support for struggling Irish fishing families.

“I sincerely hope Minister Dooley is prepared to step up — but time is of the essence. Every day lost is another family forced out of fishing, another tradition broken, another coastal economy hollowed out.”

The Independent Ireland leader is calling for a number of key issues to be addressed including an immediate review of Ireland’s fishing quota allocation, a fairer licensing regime that puts Irish fishermen first; and the implementation of the Hague Preference which would allow Irish fishermen to fish their own waters for black sole - as the Belgians and other countries currently are doing.

"We have a number of outstanding issues in the fishing industry that need to be urgently addressed. I have consistently raised the issue of our fishing rights off Rockall, The restrictions have had a significant economic impact on the Irish fishing industry, with estimates of millions of euros every year and a resolution must be found."  

"We also have the astounding situation of Irish fishermen having no quota for blue fin tuna - a highly lucrative market that would ease at least some of the burden".

"Just this weekend in my own constituency in Kinsale I attended a meeting of hundreds of people who are seriously concerned about the impact of a proposed 62 acre mussel farm which would have a devastating impact on the whole community of Kinsale and surrounding areas.  Why the government would come up with the idea of taking 62 acres of prime coastline out of commission for a giant mussel farm is beyond my comprehension, I will be raising the issue in the Dail and pushing for the taoiseach to to row back on this ludicrous idea"

“The Taoiseach may want Ireland to lead the world,” Collins concluded, “but leadership starts at home. And right now, Ireland is failing its own fishermen.”