DUP must shoulder much of the blame for fishing deal struck in Brussels
South Down Assembly Member Caitríona Ruane has said she shares the
disappointment
and frustration of the negotiators who were representing the
north's
fishing industry at talks on EU quotas in Brussels this month. Ms
Ruane
said:
"The British Government is failing thousands of people
whose livelihoods are
dependent on the fishing industry here in the six
counties and I share the
frustration and disappointment of the people
who have been tasked with
attempting to negotiate a better with
Brussels. Part of the difficulty stems
from the fact we have
unaccountable Direct Rule Ministers with up to five
Ministerial Briefs
who are expected to represent the interests of an
industry that is on
its knees because of successive quota restrictions and
longer tie-up
times.
"Britain currently holds the EU Presidency yet priority
has been given to
England, Scotland and Wales. The Welsh and Scottish
Assemblies recognise the
importance of supporting their negotiating
teams as of course does the Irish
Government which contrasts with what
is happening here in the north. Fishing
communities here in South Down
and across the north are suffering because of
the approach that has
been adopted by successive British governments.
"Indeed without
locally elected politicians working with representatives
from groups
like the Anglo-North Irish Fish Producers Organisation then the
situation
can only get worse. It is why we need to re-establish the Power
Sharing
Executive and all-Ireland institutions so those of us who have a
mandate
can represent the community we were elected to serve.
"When
people like the DUP's Jim Wells call for the resignation of Jeff
Rooker
for not attending these talks he should remember his parties
continued
refusal to share power with nationalists means they must shoulder
much
of the blame for the deal that was struck this week in Brussels. It is
their
intransigence which has created a situation where unaccountable Direct
Rule
Ministers can do pretty much what they like and this applies to fishing
quotas
as well as the implementation of water charges and cuts to our
education
boards.
"There is a strong case, when comparing the investment in
the fishing
industry made by the Irish government, that our interests
would be better
served within a single all-Ireland approach to
sustaining and developing our
industry.
"Fishing is one of
many areas that would benefit greatly from greater cross
border
co-operation and I am convinced if we dealt with this issue on an
all-Ireland
basis a better deal good be struck for the fishing community
here in
the six counties. ENDS