“IS&WFO to meet with Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey”

On Monday 8th of May, the Irish South and West Fishermens Organisation along with other National Organisations, will meet with Mr. Noel Dempsey, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

According to the Manager of the IS&WFO, Jason Whooley, "Despite much well publicised debate on the Fishing Industry in the past six to eight months, this will be the first time that we will have the opportunity to meet with Minister Dempsey and to outline our concerns to him in person. Much of the coverage of the Sea Fisheries Bill debate earlier this year was wildly inaccurate and one-sided and we will be highlighting to the Minister the reality facing the Fishing Industry in Irish ports. The picture that was painted of a highly profitable Industry with multi-million euro landings being made could not be further from the truth".

Mr. Whooley continued "Our members are struggling at the moment to make ends meet and to stay in business. That is why almost 25% of our members have voluntarily decided to leave the Industry in the past six months and why they have serious difficulties in getting crew to man their vessels. It is vital that Minister Dempsey follows up on this meeting by engaging with us in developing a long-term strategy for the Industry. A high-level French delegation sent by the French Prime Minister visited us last week to assess the Irish response to the current crisis. We need similar political support here. We have acknowledged for a long time that there are problems in the Irish Fishing Industry, as there are throughout Europe, and that is why we asked Minister Dempseys two predecessors to develop a Strategic Plan for the Industry. Minister Dempsey should see that this is the only possible way to put the Irish Fishing Industry back on a profitable and sustainable footing. The only alternative is for us to tie-up our vessels and walk away."

5th May 2006