Why was Wexford only awarded one Herring license - O' Connell

The failure of the government to award Wexford fishermen more than one herring license illustrates the unfairness and mismanagement of this state's fisheries, according to the Chairman of County Wexford Sinn Féin. Oisin O' Connell said that both this and the previous governments attitudes towards Irish Fishing were a disgrace and had helped run a profitable business into the ground.

Mr O' Connell said;

"The coastlines of Counties Wexford and Waterford are renown as great Herring fishing grounds. However this year these counties were each only awarded one license for fishing herrings. County Cork has been awarded ten licenses."

"This is another example of how under represented the fishermen of County Wexford are. Last week we had a Kilmore Quay fisherman threatened with arrest for refusing to dump over quota fish into the ocean. Fishing communities are being prosecuted for attempting to earn their living while unsecured bondholders and bankers hold the country to ransom with impunity."

"It is worth noting that County Cork is home to thirteen government TDs, including the Minister for Agriculture. It is also home to the leader of Fianna Fail. Is it possible that Cork Fishermen had more influence than our own? If so why what have our local TDs been doing? It's clear they have not been representing our fishermen."

"The Irish fishing industry has been greatly damaged since we entered the EEC in 1973. Local knowledge and skills have been restricted by red tape from Brussels. Its time this tape was cut and local fishermen were allowed the opportunity to make a decent livelihood."