Discussions are ongoing regarding the establishment of a task force to support Ireland’s inshore fishing sector.
That’s according to Fisheries Minister Timmy Dooley, who was responding in the Dáil to an appeal from Donegal Deputy Pádraig MacLochlainn.
The Sinn Fein Marine Spokesperson highlighted ongoing pressures on the sector, including rising costs, quota losses, market volatility and a significant reduction in fishing days due to climate driven weather patterns.
Minister Dooley says his aim is to develop an Income Stabilisation and Climate Compensation Scheme that would extend beyond the pelagic sector:
Meanwhile, Donegal County Council agreed on Monday to write to Minister Timmy Dooley following a motion from Killybegs Councillor Niamh Kennedy.
Cllr Kennedy says tertiary supports must also be put in place for employees who are out of pocket due to the difficulties facing coastal communities.
She says workers need assistance to retrain, diversify and access alternative employment, warning that without intervention, coastal towns risk dying on their feet:
