Fisheries issues affecting Mayo islands to be discussed at Oireachtas committee meeting

THE Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will meet this morning at 11 a.m. in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House to discuss island fisheries issues with representatives of the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO).

Committee cathaoirleach Deputy Conor McGuinness said: “Initially brought together in 2006 to represent island fishers in Donegal, the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation has grown into a national organisation advocating for islanders off Mayo, Galway and Cork as well. In 2021 IIMRO was recognised as one of Ireland’s seven EU Producer Organisations.

“In 2014, the then Oireachtas Joint Sub-Committee on Fisheries investigated issues faced by island fisheries, and published a comprehensive Report on Promoting Sustainable Rural Coastal and Island Communities.

“IIMRO has named three recommendations from the 2014 Oireachtas Report as priorities for immediate action: a Heritage License Bill to allow island residents apply for a special additional license giving them access to quota-fish that would be purposefully set aside from the national allowance; Fishery Co-Managed Areas centred on partnership between government and those who live within and rely upon the marine resource; and social welfare reform for share fishermen and overhaul of the current access to social welfare as island fishers do not believe the supports are making their way effectively to those in need.

“The committee welcomes this engagement with the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation and looks forward to discussing these and related matters with their representatives.”

The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs has 14 members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV. Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas smartphone app.