Irish fishermen are “exhausted and feel incredibly disheartened” by quota cuts, with the future of coastal communities in question, the Dáil has heard.
TDs have previously criticised the European Union’s fisheries, amid warnings that it could devastate coastal communities and the broader fishing industry.
There have been warnings that the EU Fisheries Council’s decision will reduce Ireland’s 2026 quotas by 57,000 tonnes, reducing first sale value and placing coastal jobs at risk.
It comes after the European Commission launched a four-week call for evidence relating to a new EU strategy for coastal communities. The consultation, to run until 23 March, is open to the public and all relevant stakeholders, and will assess the challenges experienced by coastal regions. Fishing is a sector that supports up to 17,000 jobs in coastal communities in Ireland.
Mayo TD for Aontú, Paul Lawless, said fishermen are the backbone of rural, coastal economies, as he questioned what would happen if they begin to disappear.
“They are fundamentally important. If we get rid of them, if we lose them, and they are on the brink, what will become of these coastal towns?” asked Lawless.
“What will become of our fishermen? What will become of this wonderful intergenerational industry? What will become of the skill sets that we have built up for so many years? The Minister of State knows that this is fundamentally important,” said Lawless.
He claimed that local fishermen have told him that they “do not know if they will survive” amid quota cuts.
“The Hague preferences came, and they were sold down the line. Now, they are teetering on the brink. I have met many fishermen in Erris, Belmullet and Achill Island. They have said to me very clearly that they do not know if they will survive.
“They do not know if they can wait until they get a reprieve or until their quotas are lifted. They may be gone. One gentleman asked me what there is for him to stay for. That is what is happening. If we break that link, it will be gone for generations.
“It is fundamentally important that the inshore fishermen are fairly represented on the Government task force. Inshore fisheries make up 90% of the vessels and the vast majority of employment in the fishing industry. Fishermen are very concerned that they will not get a fair shake in relation to the task force,” the TD added.
“There are negotiations on the Common Agricultural Policy. I believe it is unfair that fishermen are completely locked out of this. I ask the Minister of State to look into this with regard to the next CAP.
“He will be the Minister of State during this period. It is fundamentally important that fishermen can receive supports. It is hard to believe that farmers who have assets and are very successful business people are receiving CAP payments, while fishermen are asked to provide their bank account details in the Department’s own survey,” he continued.
“They are struggling to survive and struggling to sustain all of the costs of the fishing industry. How is that fair? The answer is that it is not fair. I ask the Minister of State to do everything he can, until we can ramp up the quotas, to protect the fishermen who still exist in Mayo and across this country,” Lawless told the debate
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Martin Heydon TD, acknowledged that the reduced level of quotas available for this year had caused considerable concern not only for fishermen and fisherwomen, but the wider seafood sector.
“Nearly all of the commercial fish stocks for which Ireland holds quota are shared with third countries, predominantly the UK. Only two stocks for which Ireland has quota, the sole and plaice stocks off the west of Ireland, are exclusively EU resources,” said Heydon.
“The EU negotiates with third countries in order to agree on fishing opportunities for shared stocks for the following year. The European Commission has sole competence to negotiate with third countries on behalf of the EU on the setting of fishing opportunities. This is done on the basis of a mandate from the Council.
“Ireland fully engages in the process of setting this mandate to ensure our priorities and concerns are highlighted with the Commission and with other member states.
The conclusions reached in Brussels in December are a culmination of these bilateral, trilateral and multilateral negotiations with third countries.”
Deputy Albert Dolan of Fianna Fáil said he wanted to highlight what the Government is doing to support fishing families and communities. He said he welcomed that budget funding of €157 million to support fisheries and the marine sector.
“Some €27 million has been allocated for capital projects in publicly owned harbours in 2026, and I welcome this investment. The Food Vision seafood sector group has been established to develop a structured financial support framework for catching, aquaculture and processing. A final support plan needs to be delivered by the end of the summer. That work is critical, and I commend the Minister of State on it,” said Dolan.
“Our fishing industry is not just an economic sector, but a backbone of many coastal communities. In 2026, those communities are facing an extraordinary challenge – a 70% reduction in mackerel, a 41% reduction in blue whiting and a 22% reduction in boarfish,” the TD added.
“These cuts are based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and were formalised at December’s Agricultural and Fisheries Council. We have to be clear. The science is not the problem. The science reflects years of overfishing by certain third countries.
“Ireland is paying the price for unsustainable decisions made elsewhere. We will continue to press at an EU level for strong action, which we need to do, including the use of the unsustainable fishing regulation where necessary. Ireland cannot stand by idly while shared stocks are jeopardised.”
Erin McMcGreehan, a TD for Louth, spoke of the importance of the industry in the county.
“It is a working industry, from Carlingford Lough right up to Port Oriel and at all the small landing points along our coast. These businesses are employing local people, sustaining families and contributing directly to the regional and national economy,” she said.
“The reality is that, in many ways, we have let down our fisheries in this country, and that is exactly how our fishing communities feel. I understand that sentiment. We have seen Irish boats tied up while foreign vessels continue to fish waters that Irish fishermen have depended on for generations.
“We have seen intergenerational fishing businesses disappear, not because of a lack of willingness to work but because of a lack of fairness, certainty and confidence in the system.
“The problem is that confidence in enforcement remains weak. I have spoken to many fishermen in Clogherhead. They are exhausted and feel incredibly disheartened by what they see going on in our waters.
“The Minister of State will hear from them in a couple of weeks when he visits Louth. Parliamentary replies have confirmed that landings have, in some instances, exceeded scientific recommendations, and that investigations and prosecutions are limited relative to the scale of the industry.”