Time To Restore Focus And Relevance

The Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA) is to hold their 46^th Annual General Meeting in Ennis Co Clare on the 4^th April. The newly appointed Fisheries and Marine Minister Timmy Dooley TD will be in attendance along with officials from his Department, also attending will be Bord Bia.

The IFPEA welcome this opportunity to show first-hand the resilience, scope of innovation and depth of leadership that our fish processors, fish retailers and exporters have throughout the country and within the sectors. Despite the most challenging times within the Irish fish processing sector in since 2021, the post Brexit period. We continue to invest and add value to our respective businesses, we continue to see a future that is much brighter than the present challenging environment. The downturn of the past number of years will be overcome in time but meantime we need to futureproof our businesses for an everchanging global economy with the market turbulences such events brings upon us all.

Our members are the real leaders of innovation and diversification, they have invested over €100 million of their own resources into the sector in the past 4 years alone.

The theme of our annual gathering is to “restore focus and relevance “for the entire seafood sector across all present and future policy decisions, the present and future state agencies strategies/plans for the sector and Government support of the sector for the lifetime of this administration.

The IFPEA welcome all the commitments contained within the Programme for Government, it is without doubt the most robust set of pledges and support ever given to the fisheries sector in recent times. The Programme for Government needs to be our true compass in the years ahead as we chart a brighter and better future for all – our industry has the real prospects of future growth and greater opportunities for our coastal and maritime communities.

The appointment of a delegated Fisheries and Marine Minister Timmy Dooley, is a much-welcomed decision on the part of the new Government, one which will provide the renewed focus and leadership that is long lacking in recent times. It is 14 years since Ireland had a Minister to provide sole and particular focus on Fisheries and Marine matters.

A true and meaningful partnership with all involved in the Irish Seafood industry will turn this industry around, it is through a real and inclusive approach that we can plan and provide for a brighter and better future for all – that is the resolve and commitment of the IFPEA.

Our members look forward to a full day of debate and discussion in Ennis and we appreciate the time given by Fisheries and Marine Minister Timmy Dooley TD concluded Brendan Byrne CEO of Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association.