Seafood Ireland Alliance Responds to News of Appointment of New Minister of State for the Marine

Seafood Ireland Alliance spokesman, Aodh O Donnell, CEO of IFPO has responded to news of Clare TD Timmy Dooley
being appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture with
responsibility for fisheries and a junior ministry in the Department of the Environment
with responsibility for the marine.

A dedicated Minister for the Marine is something the IFPO has long called for, so it is
welcome news early in the year.  Our lobbying efforts for a Minister for the Marine
stepped up last Summer with the formation of the Seafood Ireland Alliance.

We welcome the appointment of Minister Dooley as a positive signal of a new whole
of government awareness of the needs of the fishing sector and our coastal
communities. It is the outcome of our industry’s shared vision and our commitment to
sustained engagement with government.

Seafood Ireland comprises of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation (IFPO), the
Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO), the Irish South & West Fish Producer
Organisation (ISWFPO), the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation
(ISEFPO) and the Irish Fish Processors & Exporters Association (IFPEA). Our
organisations are committed to working together to strengthen the voice of the Irish
fishing industry.

United as an industry representative group, we proved successful in our demand for
political parties to add a Minister for the Marine to their campaign prospectuses.
Myself and my industry colleagues now find reassurance that the Fianna Fáil and
Fine Gael coalition parties have maintained their campaign promise. Our position
has thankfully been reflected in the Programme for Government.

Of course, the appointment of a Minister of State is just the beginning, as there is
much work to be done in the year ahead.

For too long Ireland has been the whipping boy to the benefit of other EU nations
and third countries. We’re confident that a collective approach can deliver to address
significant policy issues at EU level.

The appointment of Minister Dooley is a vital first step in moving the fishing industry
forward in a developmental way. There is a need for a strengthened strategic
engagement from the Department and for a transformational pivot to focus on
developing the industry.  We need to seize the opportunity to work together with
Minister Dooley and his officials to sustainably harvest our ocean wealth to the
benefit of our coastal communities.