June 4, 2021
Minister must step up following High Court ruling on fish-weighing system – Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD has called on Minister Charlie McConalogue to engage with his Department of Marine officials, the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) and the European Commission to ensure that a fish-weighing system can be established at Killybegs.

Teachta Mac Lochlainn was speaking after the High Court ruled against the SFPA for its failure to approve the conveyor belt fish-weighing system.

Teachta Mac Lochlainn said:

“Today’s ruling is a welcome decision and vindicates what fishers and their representative bodies have been saying for quite some time now that there is no legal basis to concerns raised by the SFPA through the European Commission about this fish weighing system.

“The truth is that this should never have had to go to court. It is a reflection of the state of the relationship between the SFPA and the fishing industry. 

“This ruling will only add to the widespread view amongst fishers and fish producers that the SFPA is an organisation that is not fit for purpose and in need of urgent reform.

“This outcome must also be a wake-up call for the Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue. 

“He must now urgently intervene in this issue and engage with his Department of Marine officials, the SFPA and the European Commission to ensure that a fish-weighing system can be established at Killybegs and across the state that is fair, reasonable and protects the freshness and quality of our seafood produce.

“He must also finally listen to our fishers and fish producers and ensure that the previous agreements on the weighing of fish in this state are reinstated.”

Follow us online

Latest Tweets

'Progress and timely action required to restore Executive' - @MaryLouMcDonald.

“I think all of us have been pragmatic in giving space and time, but people cannot wait any longer."

☮️ 🇮🇪 As Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens get ready to ditch a core part of Ireland's neutrality, they still can't actually explain to people what overseas mission they want to send Irish troops on but from which they are currently being prevented – @mattcarthy

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has said government must get to grips with policing in Dublin to ensure that communities can feel safe and protected

https://vote.sinnfein.ie/government-must-listen-to-communities-public-safety-concerns-pa-daly-td/

📺 Sinn Féin Leader @MaryLouMcDonald will be live on @rtenews this evening, from 6:20pm.

Watch here: https://www.rte.ie/player/onnow

Load More