Mattie McGrath condemns EU port-weighing rule as 'tyranny'

Mattie McGrath spoke in support of fishermen from coastal counties and condemned an EU requirement that catches be weighed at ports, calling the rule 'a tyranny' and criticising the government and the Sea Fishery Protection Authority for facilitating it. He warned that Irish fishermen now get access to only 16% of fish in their own waters and accused Spanish and French trawlers of taking the remainder.

Support for coastal fishermen

McGrath, while noting he is from inland County Tipperary, expressly backed the fishermen of coastal counties and acknowledged the work of Tiffany Collins, saying he corroborated Deputy Collins' remarks and demands for a dedicated minister for fishing.

Objection to port-weighing requirement

He criticised the EU requirement, facilitated by the Irish government and the Sea Fishery Protection Authority, that catches be weighed at ports, calling the practice "unbelievable" and saying fishermen must take fish out of ice to comply.

Loss of access and foreign trawlers

McGrath argued that Ireland now only secures 16% of the fish in its own waters and complained that Spanish and French trawlers can come in, avoid port weighing and process their catches elsewhere, reversing how processing used to be done.

Political responsibility and ministerial turnover

He said he was not blaming the current minister because of recent turnover in the role, but he accused previous governments of taking their eye off the ball and delivering a poor deal since joining the EU in 1973.

Criticism of parliamentary scrutiny since COVID

McGrath accused the government of acting with little scrutiny since the COVID period, saying officials had "run away with" powers and lamented that members from coastal constituencies in Fianna Fáil, Fianna Gael and some independents had not stood up to represent their constituents.