Donegal fishing businesses get €12m from Irish government

Image source, Getty

Image caption, Killybegs is a major destination for fishing vessels
At a glance
  • Two fishing businesses in Killybegs are to get more than €12m (£10.4m) from the Irish government
  • The Irish fishing industry was one of the main losers from the EU’s Brexit deal with the UK
  • The grants are aimed at making Killybegs a more attractive location for fishing vessels to land
  • Gallagher Bros has welcomed the investment
  • Author, John Campbell
  • Role, ý News NI economics and business editor

Two fishing businesses in Killybegs are to get more than €12m (£10.4m) in Irish government grants as part of a €50m (£43.3m) investment in the port.

The port in west Donegal is one of Ireland’s main fishing harbours.

The Irish fishing industry was one of the main losers from the EU’s Brexit deal with the UK.

The government has set up an EU-backed fund to help mitigate some of the impacts.

Gallagher Bros (Fish Merchants) and Killybegs Seafoods have been allocated the highest grants under the scheme, totalling €12.1m (£10.5m), and are spending a total of €31m (£26.8m).

Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the seafood development agency, said the investment was aimed at making Killybegs a more attractive location for fishing vessels to land catch that might otherwise go to the UK, mainland Europe, Norway, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

David Gallagher, a director of Gallagher Bros, said the money would allow investment in equipment to automate processing and improve energy efficiency.

"We had plans to upgrade before Brexit happened, and everything stalled," he said.

"The Brexit Process Capital Support Scheme grant through BIM was the shot in the arm we needed to be more audacious.

"We are very excited now about the future."