Intent: The aquaculture sector, as a primary producing food sector, be included in any government support package addressing increased fuel costs.::Propose a ‘Temporary Crisis Scheme' to allow for financial compensation to operators in the aquaculture sector for their income forgone and additional costs incurred must be made available to aquaculture operators affected by significant fuel costs coupled with increasing input costs for aquaculture business and eligibility criteria must reflect that.::For Government to consider funding mechanisms through the European Commission by triggering Article 26(2) of the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 to assist Irish Aquaculture operators affected by significant production losses coupled increasing input costs for aquaculture businesses
Details: Impact of increased cost of fuel on Irish Aquaculture
Intent: Legislative reform and consolidation - It is now critical that a single piece of legislation is brought forward to implement and underpin appropriate aquaculture policy and bring together all the existing primary, secondary and amended legislation in one single provision Implementation of the Licensing Review Recommendations - Modernisation of the licensing system with 20-year licences, Clear timelines & certainty for licence determinations::The Minister must address the matter to ensure there is a clear timeframe for the completion of appropriate assessments - there must be a clear plan of action to address immediate delays in the aquaculture licensing system::Grant aid eligibility - Aquaculture producers are prevented from access to EMFAF funds and this eligibility criteria must be urgently reviewed::The Minister must establish a sustainability support mechanism to provide liquidity and support for the Aquaculture sector to address biological, ecological, economic and market challeng
Details: Food Vision Seafood Taskforce - to develop a framework of supports and actions to respond to challenges in seafood sector
Intent: To obtain an update on progress to date on any or if an application was made by Ireland to DG MARE/EU Commission - which I failed to get , as I got no reply to my queries whatsoever from anyone . To query why Ireland has failed to make an application to obtain Port Listing, which would aid and help the entire Seafood Sector.
Details: The need to obtain listed status for Irish ports under the new control regulation similar to Denmark and Latvia
EU-Iceland Stakeholders Meeting with Timmy Dooley - Potential Access & Quota Deal with Iceland on 15/01/26. - Virtual MeetingMEP Cynthia No Mhurchu at Berehaven Golf Club, Castletownbere, Co. Cork Re: Discussion on State of Irish Fishing Industry on 19/02/26. - MeetingMeeting 1 with Minister Timmy Dooley in Dunmore East, Waterford & Kilmore Quay Re: Industry Issues & Fuel Supports on 07.04.26.Meeting 2 with Minister Martin Heydon & TD Michael Healy Rae at Agriculture House Re: Fuel Support for Fishermen on 11/04/26.Meeting 3 DAFM Information Update in Respect of Support Scheme for Fisheries & Aquaculture with Sinead McSharry onlin e on 20/04/26. - Meeting
Intent: Adaption and advising on the implementation of National and EU of policy in a coherent way in line with best practice - to meet the resilience and sustainability needs of the Fishing Sector::Secure a level playing with other Member States in relation to scientifically advised total allowable catches ::Raise awareness regarding third country access to the Irish EEZ waters::Achieve a just transition in MSP issues and in relation to the spatial squeeze
Details: Engaging and sharing of perspectives regarding Total Allowable catches, Management Arrangements and opportunities / challenges facing the sector
Correspondence and updates re EU and National policies and emerging regulations - EmailOffshore Renewables workshops, Fisheries Quota setting, general policy issues - MeetingPhotos, commentary, and circulation of emerging EU and National developments relevant to the sector - Linked In , Facebook - Social Media
Intent: To highlight the significant oyster production losses impacting oyster farmers in Dungarvan bay::To seek supports from State Agencies & DAFM to investigate the potential cause of the losses, and examine any potential mitigation::To request financial support to compensate for the losses of oyster production
Details: Oyster Mortality & Significant Losses in Dungarvan Bay during Summer 2025
Intent: To obtain an update on progress to date on any or if an application was made by Ireland to DG MARE/EU Commission - which I failed to get , as I got no reply to my queries whatsoever from anyone . To query why Ireland has failed to make an application to obtain Port Listing, which would aid and help the entire Seafood Sector.
Details: The need to obtain listed status for Irish ports under the new control regulation similar to Denmark and Latvia
Intent: Alignment and coherence of objectives in relation to long term sustainability of the Sector and to exchange perspectives on such matters as the lead up to the December Ag and Fisheries Council - and with special focus on maintaining the Hague Preference Mechanism ::1Level playing field for the Irish Seafood Sector in line with objectives of Common Fisheries Policy2 Secure the invoking of the Hague Preferences at December AG and Fisheries Council3 Raise awareness of the socio economic importance of the seafood sector for Irish Coastal communities.4 Lobby for the effective implementation of the undertakings outlined in the Programme for Government5 Ensure sustainable exploitation of marine resources and to highlight overfishing by third countries
Details: Engagement with, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister, Minister for State, select MEP s and DAFM TEAM re National Strategic issues pertaining to Marine Policy and to focus on achieving national objectives in Programme for Gov
Briefing calls and exchange of views in relation to emerging sustainability and resilience challenges - with a focus on CFP, ICES advices, December Council and importance of invoking Hague Preferences. Also briefing re adverse impacts on Irish Coastal communities of systemic overfishing by non EU coastal states of shared migratory fish stocks - Phone callBriefing letters in relation to emerging sustainability and resilience challenges - with a focus on CFP, ICES advices, December Council and importance of invoking Hague Preferences - LetterBriefing of Government, Taoiseach , Tánaiste, Minister and Minister for State, Opposition Parties and DAFM staff in relation to sustainability and resilience challenges - with a focus on CFP, December Council and approach to invoking Hague Preferences - Email
Promotion of introduction of such measures as alluded to above to provide capital support to high growth potential entrepreneurial projects - EmailPromotion of introduction of such measures as alluded to above to provide capital support to high growth potential entrepreneurial projects - Meeting
Intent: To thank Minister of State for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine for taking the time recently to engage with IFA at the recent IFA Aquaculture AGM (20th March 2025) - his continued engagement with the Irish Aquaculture sector since taking office earlier this year is recognised.::To highlight that there are several issues restricting the Irish Aquaculture sector from achieving its potential.::To highlight that the sustainable development of Aquaculture is a shared competence between the EU Commission and Member States – Member States have the ability to set ambitions for their sector with the support of the EU Commission.::To seek a meeting with the Minister of State to discuss how best to work together to unlock the potential for the sustainable development of Irish Aquaculture.::To discuss several issues relating to Aquaculture licensing renewals, including completion of appropriate assessments as part of the licensing process, and the knock-on effect impacting the grant aid eligibili
Details: Aquaculture Licencing Renewals & Grant Aid
