Sinn Féin spokesperson on Rural Affairs and Community Development, Conor McGuinness TD, has said the Government is “kicking the fishing industry while it’s down” by failing to tackle the fuel cost crisis hitting fishermen and coastal communities.
The Waterford TD raised the issue on the floor of the Dáil , having written to Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Fisheries and Marine Timmy Dooley calling for urgent action in his role as Fisheries Committee Chair.
Teachta McGuinness said:
“Fishermen are being hit hard by soaring fuel costs, and this Government is kicking the fishing industry while it’s down.
“My colleague, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, and I have highlighted this issue and are deeply disappointed that Government has chosen to ignore the concerns of fishermen.
“Fuel is one of the biggest costs facing fishing vessels. When prices surge like this, it puts real pressure on whether boats can go to sea at all.
“The Government has brought forward a response to rising fuel prices, but fishermen have effectively been left out.
“That is a serious failure. It risks doing lasting damage to a sector already under pressure and to the coastal communities that depend on it.
“This crisis is wider. Families are struggling with rising petrol and diesel costs and with sharp increases in home heating oil.
“The Government had the option to go further and provide real relief, including for sectors like fishing that are most exposed. They chose not to.
“They need to act now to support fishermen and protect the communities that rely on them.”
