Fishermen from the Beara Peninsula say the government's refusal to introduce a fuel subsidy has had a devastating impact on the industry's competitiveness internationally.
That's according to the CEO of the Irish South & West Fish Producers Organisation, Patrick Murphy.
The EU allowed member states to subsidise marine fuel following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Both France and Spain availed of this, while Ireland did not - despite the industry's concerns that this could damage Irish competitiveness.
Instead, the Department of Agriculture and the Marine introduced the 'Temporary Tie-Up Scheme' which paid fishermen to not fish for two months, and the 'Decommissioning Scheme' which will pay them to leave the industry entirely.
Speaking to RedFM News, Patrick Murphy says Irish fishermen don't want to leave the industry, but need a fuel subsidy scheme.
