Dana angry over diversion of fisheries budget

Almost €50m has been diverted from the European fisheries budget to Marie Stopes International, an agency that deals with family planning and reproductive health.

The decision comes at a time when the Irish fishing industry is in turmoil as a result of the latest EU restrictions and cuts.

MEP Dana Scallon says serious questions need to be answered as to why €50m has been wiped from the fisheries budget at a time when the sector is on its knees.

She said: "However deserving those areas are, the fishing industry is also deserving and we have communities relying on this industry and the fish processing industry and they are facing devastation.

"The industry could use that €50m."