Minister Coveney under fire over mackerel

We can easily sympathise with the frustration of livestock farmers at the “stand back” attitude of Minister Coveney to the beef industry crisis. (Irish Examiner, August 28). 

Will he adopt the same attitude to the possible embargo on mackerel exports to Russia?

Minister Coveney has already adopted this attitude towards the Irish sea fishing industry. With 20% of EU waters, Ireland is allocated a mere 4% of the white fish quota. Foreign vessels take an astonishing 88%. The marine Industry says this is more than €1bn per annum. Ireland’s meagre share is a mere €0.19bn.

Last year in Castletownbere over 700 landings of fish by foreign vessels were transhipped to the continent. Value to Ireland “nil”.

Once again Minister Coveney has adopted a “stand back” approach. He has publicly said that he cannot and will not do anything about it.

Ireland’s people can ill afford this generosity.

Donal O’Driscoll

East End

Castletownbere

Co Cork

Tom Hassett

Roseville

Strawberry Hill

Cork