Danny Healy-Rae Demands Answers on Mercosur Vote and Fishing Crisis
Danny Healy-Rae urged the minister to intervene over an imminent European vote on the Mercosur agreement and raised alarm about a collapse in the local fishing industry. He questioned party control over MEPs and pressed the minister to act after three years without mackerel in local waters.
Mercosur vote and MEPs
He drew attention to a forthcoming vote in Europe where MEPs will decide on the Mercosur agreement and said many constituents are dissatisfied with the outcome. He cited assertions that certain MEPs from both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael intend to vote for the agreement and asked what control those parties have over their MEPs.
Calls for party intervention
He asked whether the minister can insist that MEPs vote against Mercosur - arguing it would be for the good of consumers and farmers - and sought clarity on what the minister can do to influence the vote.
Fishing communities in crisis
He recounted a conversation in Cot City with a local who described many fishermen leaving the industry and more contemplating doing so. He warned the fishing sector has been "practically decimated" and appealed for measures to support those who continue to face the dangers of the sea and weather.
Absence of mackerel and demand for action
He stressed that they have not seen a mackerel on their side of the country for three years and directly asked the minister what will be done for the fishing industry. He pressed the minister to explain what steps he will take to address the collapse and retain fishermen in coastal communities.
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Minister, there is a vote coming up. A lot of people are dissatisfied with the vote in relation to Mercosur and very disappointed and people are worried about their health and everything. There is a vote coming up in Europe where the MEPs will have a vote. And we understand that from assertions by certain MEPs from both parties that they intend to vote for the Mercosur agreement. What control have Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael parties over these MEPs? Can he insist on their voting against Mercosur for the good of all consumers and for the good of all farmers? That's one question. The other question, I was in an establishment in Cot City yesterday evening and I met a man for my wreaths and I started asking about lads that I knew back along the Bearer Peninsula how they were getting on with the fishing. So he frightened me when he told me the number of fellows that had gotten out and that more fellows were contemplating getting out of it. I'm asking Minister, in light of the fact we haven't seen a mackerel in our side of the country for three years. What is going on, Minister? Or what can he do? Or what are he going to do for the fishing industry? It has practically decimated. And I hope he'll do something for these good living people that had to continue with everything and to continue with the dangers of the sea and the weather and everything. And now we find that we're going to, are we going to lose them altogether, Minister? Thank you, Minister.
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