Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
742. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the supports his Department is providing, and will provide, to the fishing industry in light of recommended quota reductions for 2026. [66283/25]
View answer743. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps his Department is taking to ensure the viability of Ireland’s sea fishing sector. [66284/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 742 and 743 together.
The advice issued by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) forms the basis of the scientific advice used by the European Commission in proposing Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and informs the EU's negotiating position for consultations with Third Countries.
The ICES advice for 2026 for a number of stocks of key importance to the Irish fleet is very concerning. The advice shows reductions of almost 70% for Mackerel, 41% for Blue Whiting, 22% for Boarfish and 21% for Nephrops (prawns).
I am acutely aware that the scale of the reduction indicated by the ICES advice is a matter of grave concern for Ireland’s seafood sector, and the coastal communities which are dependent upon it economically.
I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to working closely across Government Departments to assess what supports may be available to the seafood sector in the context of EU state aid rules, and within the constraints of both EU and national Exchequer funding. To this end, I have had initial discussions with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans, an Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
As regards existing supports, a range of supports and services are provided to the Irish fleet under Ireland's €258 million Seafood Development Programme, which is co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Commission under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027. These include the valuable work undertaken by the Marine Institute to support the sustainable management of our fisheries, and the supports and services provided directly to industry by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), which, in addition to its technical and advisory services, also administers the grant aid schemes for industry.
