Liadh raises proposal for a Single Boat Payment with EU Fisheries Commissioner

Following a productive meeting in Strasbourg with Commissioner Vella, Liadh Ní Riada Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland-South has welcomed a breakthrough with Sinn Féin’s proposed ‘Single Boat Payment’ scheme that was recently passed at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis.

Karmenu Vella the European Commissioner for Fisheries, in a recent meeting with Ní Riada, commended the proposal and agreed that such a scheme will be beneficial to many hard-pressed fishermen and that it will be strongly considered by the European Commission.

Ni Riada said;

“Myself and my fellow Sinn Féin colleague Martina Anderson have continuously campaigned and highlighted the need for an introduction of a Single Boat Payment Scheme.

“We welcome this breakthrough, a Single Boat Payment will go far in alleviating the hardship many Irish fishermen face.

“They and their families are already struggling financially and a direct income reduction of €31.46million was forecasted according to a recent Sustainability Impact Assessment.

“What is relevant to this issue is the Single Farm Payment which has helped lift the burden for many of the most vulnerable farmers in our agricultural industry, hence it is neither logical or justifiable to deny our most vulnerable fishermen the same courtesy of a Single Boat Payment system. There is no reason why this cannot be funded through the EMFF.

“Fishermen regularly risk their lives in rough seas to provide for their families so a subsidised payment similar to that given to farmers would give the fishermen sufficient resources to see them through hard times such as when there are dangerous weather conditions at sea preventing their vessels from leaving port, not to mention to work safely.

“I look forward to the Commissioner’s review of the proposal.”