Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor D. McGuinness, has called on the Government to recognise the crisis facing Ireland’s inshore fishing sector as an emergency and to pursue every available avenue, including EU State Aid derogations, to deliver urgent financial supports.

Deputy McGuinness was speaking in the Dáil today after putting an Dáil Question, tabled by Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs, Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, to Minister Timmy Dooley on the proposal by inshore fishermen for a targeted support scheme.

Deputy McGuinness, who is also Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Fisheries, noted that NIFA has appeared before the Committee on two occasions to present its case, and members are acutely aware of the severity of the crisis facing Ireland’s inshore fleet.

Deputy McGuinness said:

“Ireland’s inshore fishing sector is on its knees. This is a proud, resilient industry that has endured years of policy failures at both Irish and European level without seeking direct financial assistance. The fact that NIFA has now come forward with a proposal for income stabilisation tells you just how serious the situation has become.”

During the exchange, Minister Dooley argued that EU State Aid rules limited the Government’s ability to introduce such a scheme. Deputy McGuinness rejected that argument.

“I challenged the Minister to stop hiding behind Brussels before even making the case. The Government has already secured European Commission approval for fuel supports for the fishing fleet. Government should now pursue every available flexibility and derogation because, by any reasonable definition, this is an emergency.”

Deputy McGuinness said the Government should treat the crisis with the same urgency it would show any other strategic sector.

“I told the Minister that if this were any other primary producing sector—if this were farming—the Irish Government would already be in Brussels making the case for a derogation. Fishing communities deserve exactly the same commitment.”

Deputy McGuinness said the recently published Mulvey Report was underwhelming.

“The report acknowledges many of the challenges facing the sector, but it lacks urgency and contains no detailed support mechanism capable of keeping boats at sea or protecting family livelihoods. Reports alone will not save this industry.”

He praised NIFA for bringing forward what he described as a practical and constructive proposal.

“NIFA has identified the problems clearly. It has produced a serious, workable proposal centred on income stabilisation, climate adaptation and recognising the public goods delivered by our inshore fleet. It deserves genuine engagement from Government, not another list of reasons why nothing can be done.”

Deputy McGuinness concluded:

“Every month we delay, more boats leave our harbours, more families leave the industry and more coastal communities are weakened. The Government must recognise this for what it is—an emergency—and act before it is too late.”