Shameless

Without pre empting anything positive that may arise from the launch of the new task force, the ‘Food Vision Seafood Sector Group’, it was noticeable that the very same day was chosen to announce the Government funding allocation of some €27 million for, according to a DAFM press release, “capital projects in Ireland's publicly-owned harbours through the 2026 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme”.

One can’t help but be cynical at the coordinated timing of the new task force and the funding for harbours which makes for a nice sound byte and no doubt RTÉ will be all over it with their usual gusto when it’s something the Government want a positive slant on…. But Gold help you if you’re ever waiting for the same broadcaster to highlight any of the problems in the industry now or any time in the past.

At this critical time in the fishing and processing sectors it’s quite clear what the catching sector needs:

• At the very least the inshore fleet needs targeted Government effort into reopening diverse fisheries previously closed, as well as a dedicated financial package to ensure the survival of what makes up 80% of the total Irish fleet;

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• The demersal sector needs a return of some percentage of the quota taken away over recent years…. After the promise that a decommissioning of one third of the fleet would leave the remaining vessels with enough quota to survive on, this has not been the case and the EU continues to tighten the noose on the Irish whitefish fleet whilst giving other nations, such as Belgium, vast levels of quotas in Ireland’s own waters. And of course the issue of Rockall…. Does our government think that if it’s no longer talked about then Irish fishermen are not still waiting for Government to fulfil its promise to challenge this case and not just keep telling fishermen year after year that “we’re in discussions on the matter “ ;

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• And the pelagic sector…. Cuts to mackerel, scad and boarfish have combined to result in a 52% loss of quota and yet, while the EU Commission claims to hold dear the word ‘sustainability’ in response to Ireland’s claims of being victimised but they gladly allow the Dutch and Norwegian (and recently the Russians) work in Irish waters, removing tens of thousands of tonnes of fish, largely unchecked, unmonitored and unaccountable to anyone.

Above all else, it’s clear what the Irish fishing industry needs most is some Government backbone and to stand up to the EU and call a halt to the ever increasing use of Irish waters and Irish fish stocks as the bargaining chip in the EU deals which, in one way or another, benefits other EU and non EU member states but never any benefit for he who pays the piper i.e. Irish fishermen.

This situation was once so farcical that even Irish fishermen could see how tragically laughable it all is - - but it’s now gone far beyond that… it has become an embarrassment that Ireland does not have the guts to stand up for itself and its Government politicians, with their boot on the necks of their own citizens, will bow, scrape and doff their caps to their EU masters.

And so, on this day… February 16th 2026… with things never as bad as ever before and with very serious and urgent needs for the Irish fishing industry, this is what we get:

“Announcing this programme further demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to supporting our fishing, seafood and wider maritime sectors through sustained and targeted investment in modern, safe and resilient harbour infrastructure. These investments are essential to ensuring that our harbours remain fit for purpose, can support economic activity in coastal communities, and can meet the challenges posed by climate change and increased operational demands.”

Now, pardon my french but what a load of PR ‘spin’ bullshit…. if there is one word in that press release that brings a crumb of optimism to any Irish fishermen in the inshore, demersal or pelagic sector, then I’ll be amazed…

In fact this particular press release looks suspiciously similar to the exact one that Charlie McConalogue, the worst fisheries minister in the history of the State, released after he used a portion of the EU Brexit BAR money, that was intended to compensate Irish fishermen, to fix up a few piers and harbour walls before handing back €200 million to the EU as it was ‘not needed’.

This posturing… and that’s all it is…. Like shaking a bunch of shiny keys at a baby to distract its attention to stop it from crying….. means absolutely nothing to those on the boats that have to tie up and watch other nations plunder Irish waters… it means nothing to the fishing industry factory workers who used to earn a seasonal wage from the boats landing but are now lucky if they get four weeks’ employment in the year…. And most of all it means nothing to the inshore fisherman who sits on the pier looking at his boat tied up and desperately wishing he could just do what he used to always do…make a living for himself and his family.