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Equal Rights And Equal Opportunities For Irish Fishermen

Dublin Protest Demo Date: 23rd June 2021

Lack of “level playing field” under the EU Common Fisheries Policy is destroying our Irish Fishing Industry and Rural Communities.

On the 23rd June next, Irish Fishing vessels both inshore and offshore from around the Irish coast will assemble at the entrance to Dublin Port from early morning.

Under instruction from the lead vessel and Dublin Port Authority, they will steam up the River Liffey in convoy through the East Link Toll Bridge to John Rodgerson's Quay.

A berthing plan will be provided and larger vessels will be tied up first to maximise space.

All vessels which plan to attend must notify their PO or the organisers in advance to be included in the flotilla. Guidelines and instructions to participating vessels will be issued separately.

From 10.00am at John Rogerson's Quay the fishermen wish to invite the public and media to come and view the fishing vessels, meet the men and women who work these vessels, Hear their stories and talk with their representatives.

A Protest and Unity rally supported by protestors from all sectors of the Irish Fishing Industry and coastal & rural communities will be held at 12:00 noon in Guild Street Park at the Spencer Dock beside The National Convention Centre where the Dail will be sitting.

The Rally will be addressed by Fishermen and PO representatives highlighting the issues facing the Irish Fishing community.

After the rally, fishing representatives will hand deliver a letter outlining the plight of the industry to theTaoiseach.

The letter reiterates the demands made at the Cork Protest and serves notice on the Taoiseach and Government that further actions are planned if the only solution continues to be the decimation of the Irish Fishing industry at the expense of our rural communities

The protest is supported by the IS&WFPO, KFO, IS&EFPO, IFPO, IFP&EA, IIMRO, IFSA and inshore fishermen.

Stewards will be in attendance and all instructions & guidelines must be respected by protestors.

All Covid 19 restrictions and social distancing requirements will be observed by all participants.

TIMETABLE

Tuesday 22nd June 2021

22:30pm - East Link Toll bridge will be lifted for 30 mins to allow 15 larger vessels to berth at John Rogerson's Quay. Dublin Port Pilot vessel will attend

Wednesday 23rd June 2021

03:30am – Flotilla vessels will assemble at Dublin Port Pilot Station and proceed upriver in single file convoy behind Dublin Port Pilot vessel.

04:15am - East Link Toll bridge will be lifted for 75 mins to allow flotilla vessels to berth at John Rogerson's Quay.

10:00am – The Fishing Industry workers and their families will be available to meet the media and public on John Rogerson's Quay to highlight their concerns about the crisis facing our coastal communities.

PUBLIC ACCESS TO VESSELS WILL BE RESTRICTED DUE TO COVID 19 GUIDELINES

11:30am – Fishermen and their supporters will cross over the Samuel Beckett Bridge to Guild St Park at Spencer Dock.

12:00 Noon – Protest & Unity Rally at Guild St Park at Spencer Dock will begin. Fishermen and Industry Reps will speak and elaborate on the six demands that are to be submitted to the Taoiseach and Government.

13:30pm – Rally ends followed by deputation of fishermen to deliver letter outlining demands to Taoiseach at National Convention Centre.

21:30pm - East Link Toll bridge will be lifted for one hour to allow flotilla vessels to exit John Rogerson's Quay and proceed down river.

No horns to be sounded other than if required for Navigation purposes.

Vessels participating in Event are required to inform their PO of the following details

Non PO vessels must notify John Lynch – Flotilla Co-ordinator on 086 8282762 to be included.

Please provide:
1. Name of Vessel.
2. Draft.
3. Length.
4. POB
5. Name of Skipper & contact Number

More details on working channels, berthing plans will follow.

Alan O’Neill Fisherman/liaison with Dublin Port Authority 086 8350806

Further information:
ORGANISERS
John Lynch (Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation) 086 8282762
Patrick Murphy (Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation) 086 2360001
Seán O’Donoghue (Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation) 087 4196535
John Ward (Irish Fish Producers Organisation) 087 2548520
Brendan Byrne (Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association) 087 1215513
Enda Conneely (Irish Island Marine Resource Producers Organisation)