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Major "neglect" of Foyle
fishermen
07.12.07
FISHERMEN operating out
of Lough Foyle are being "totally neglected" with
none having been paid under the salmon hardship
scheme.
Donegal North East Deputy Joe McHugh revealed the
problem this week following a Dáil question to
Communications Minister Eamon Ryan. |
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“This is outrageous and
I am adamant that the fishing community have once
again been ignored by the Irish government.
“This scheme was set up to provide relief for the
hardship suffered by fishermen as a result of the
closure of the interceptory fishery seaward of Lough
Foyle and the reduction |
of commercial licenses
within the Lough," said Deputy McHugh.
"There has been a significant drop in the number of
drift and draft nets in the Foyle area, yet no money
has been paid to any fisherman to date.
“We have commissions recommending pay rises for
Ministers that do not deliver, yet the EU Commission
cannot provide a little relief for those who really
need it." Deputy McHugh said Government "inaction"
was the only visible response to fishermen in
Inishowen who had suffered major losses.
“Action needs to be taken and the EU Commissioner
must be questioned. I have sent a letter to EU
Commissioner Joe Borg stating my concerns over this
issue.
"I find it ironic that no draft net fishermen have
been paid, given that the EU has committed to
further in-shore funding following the cessation of
drift net salmon fishing. Perhaps if they paid the
money that they promised to pay, they could start
talking about further funding. " The Fine Gael T.D.,
pledged to continue questioning the Minister until
the fishermen were paid.
"I will keep putting questions to the Minister until
I see the payment of hardship funds to fishermen,"
he said. To read more about the demise of drift
netting on the Foyle for one family,
click here
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