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"Bring Navy training to
Greencastle"
14.04.08
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FISHERMEN losing their
jobs due to the decline in the fishing industry
should be retrained for the Merchant Navy at
Greencastle Fisheries College.
That's according to Deputy Joe McHugh who said he
would put a proposal to the Government to introduce
a national retraining scheme for former fishing
industry workers. |
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"All across the
country, there are towns and villages that have been
decimated by the decline in the fishing industry,"
said Deputy McHugh.
"Experienced fishermen are now unemployed and
looking for work. Many left to join the construction
industry and now they find themselves redundant once
more." Deputy McHugh said the men had hard earned
skills that should not be lost. “Many of these men
are qualified skippers, mates, engineers and deck
hands. Sixteen weeks' training would see them
qualified as officers of the watch in the Merchant
Navy. |
"We have a National
Maritime College in Cork and a National Fisheries
College in Greencastle, which could retrain these
men. With very little investment, the Government
could make a major difference to lives of fishermen
and indeed coastal communities."
The Fine Gael T.D., said boat owners were
compensated under the decommissioning programme but
captains, mates, engineers and deckhands got
nothing.
"Shipping owners of the world today are crying out
for educated English-speaking officers and our
fishermen would be ideal for these positions.
“Upon finishing a 16 week course and sitting their
exams, these officers would be guaranteed a secure,
well paid job worldwide. I want the relevant
Government ministers to consider providing financial
support for these men to undertake this training,
which would cover exam fees, course fees and living
expenses. Deckhands could avail of a five week
re-training programme in either in the National
Maritime College in Cork or the college in
Greencastle. The college in Greencastle needs an
extra lecturer to provide courses for those affected
in the Northern regions," added Deputy McHugh. |
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