Industry figures have come away from a first meeting with Ireland’s new Marine Minister and officials, describing discussions as ‘positive’.
The meeting with minister Timmy Dooley was attended by all five Seafood Ireland alliance members – KFO, IFPO, IFPEA, ISWFPO and the ISEFPO, and also included representatives of inshore fisheries, seafood processing and aquaculture representatives, according to Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) chief executive Dominic Rihan as spokesman for Seafood Ireland.
He commented that a ‘very constructive exchange of views with Minister Timmy Dooley’ had taken place, with the minister signalling a interest in visiting stakeholder groups and being proactive at both national and European level on fishing and seafood sector issues.
‘He was clearly committed to working with the industry. As a result, we are more optimistic now about the potential for positive change in Europe and here at home,’ Dominic Rihan said.
Patrick Murphy of the Irish South & West Fish Producer’s Organisation (IS&WFPO) said that it now feels like ‘we are at long last moving towards an alignment of views between the seafood sector, the Department of the marine, and the Government. We are talking about the specifics and identifying deliverable priorities. It’s the start of a journey of planned and ongoing engagement.’
During the session, the minister asked each organisation to identify their top five priorities by way of a submission to him and told the sector representatives that he was committed to the Programme for Government objectives on fishing and marine.
‘Coupled with the planned visit of the EU Fisheries Commissioner to Ireland in May, there are definite signals that our sector’s lobbying efforts are finally being heeded. The ultimate proof will be in the action that is taken now in the months and years ahead,’ Patrick Murphy said.
Since the meeting with the Minister, the Seafood Ireland alliance members also attended an all-day meeting with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). The meeting covered strategic issues, focussing on succession and growth opportunities. There were a range of presentations from guest speakers, including one on the right policies needed for growth in the sector.
