asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the disastrous consequences for the Irish fishing industry of the Government's reported conceding the principle of accession for the Spanish fishing fleet, one of the largest in the world, to Irish coastal waters in the enlargement negotiations at present taking place; and if, in view of the urgency of the situation, he will indicate that no such proposal will be entertained by him?
Private Notice Question. - Spanish Fishing Rights.
The Deputy's question is based on a number of premises which are incorrect. There is not, not will there be, a possibility for the entire Spanish fishing fleet to have access to Irish coastal waters or, indeed, to Community waters. The present negotiations in Brussels are about the accession of Spain to membership of the Community.
What has been negotiated in regard to the fisheries chapter is the integration of Spain into the Common Fisheries Policy, involving access to Community waters for a limited number of Spanish vessels which would be subject to strict controls. While membership of the Community implies non-discriminatory treatment for all member states, the Government are now negotiating a derogation which would exclude Spanish vessels from the Irish Box for a long period.
The Minister is aware that there is now widespread confusion in well-informed circles about the negotiating position adopted at present by the Irish negotiating team. I am sure the Minister is also aware that at the recent Dublin Summit it was agreed within the Community that there would be a ten year plus five year transition period before any further consideration would be given to Spanish fishing vessels operating in Community areas. Will the Minister clarify what the present negotiating stance is at Community level and will he rectify the situation which is causing anxiety, fear and widespread confusion, not only throughout the industry but also in well-informed circles?
To coin a phrase, the negotiations are ongoing and necessarily are in that category. They are also extremely complex. I wish to assure the Deputy and the House that the Irish representatives at those negotiations are extremely well aware of the importance of this matter and I have total confidence in their ability to negotiate the best possible derogation for Irish fishermen. I take Deputy Daly's point that there is confusion; indeed there were two contradictory headlines on this matter in two daily newspapers today and a debate, necessarily truncated in question and answer from here, will not clarify the situation. We are negotiating a derogation which will be in ease and aid of the Irish fishing industry.
Can the Minister confirm that there has been a change of stance adopted by the negotiating team since we debated the issue here on 6 March? If reports are accurate, the Government seem to be in breach of a motion which was unanimously adopted here to safeguard Irish interests?
The Deputy should not make deductions from what are obviously and must necessarily be inadequate reports of a most complex and continuing situation. The negotiations are continuing and it would be wrong for me or for anyone in this House to give a definite description of continuing negotiations at this stage.
Would the Minister acknowledge that these negotiations are concerned with nothing more or less than the entire future of the Irish fishing industry? Is he aware that a number of our national daily newspapers this morning spoke positively about a concession by the Irish Government in principle of accession to the Irish Box? Will he, confirm that that principle will not be conceded? That is all we are looking for. We are not interested in descriptions of the complexity of the negotiations. We know they are ongoing and complex, but the riveting disclosure in the newspapers this morning is that the Government have conceded in principle on accession to the Irish Box. Will he indicate that that is not so and will not be so?
Deputy Haughey and other Deputies on that side of the House should wait until these complex negotiations——
We cannot wait.
——are concluded.
It will be a fait accompli then.
There will be no sell-out as there was in 1977.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Haughey should wait until these negotiations are concluded and then he will be satisfied that the Irish interests have been adequately protected.
Does the Minister accept that it is not parliamentarily proper for the Minister to ask the House to wait? We are dealing with a fundamental, national longterm interest which also involves a principle. It is no good asking us to wait until negotiations are over. It is not unreasonable to ask the Minister to affirm that this principle will not be conceded.
Deputy Haughey does not have a monopoly of concern for the national interest. This is a most complex matter——
We know that.
There are continuing negotiations and to ask for a solemn declaration of inviolability at this stage is naive, especially coming from someone of Deputy Haughey's experience.
Is the Minister suggesting that we should wait until such time as the negotiations are concluded before we put the case for Irish fishermen? It would then be too late. Would the Minister elaborate on what he means by the entire fleet and a limited fleet? Will he accept that, whether it is limited or the entire Spanish fleet, it will still have detrimental effects on the Irish industry? If, as appears to us, the seven year transition period is a fait accompli, does he accept that the Spanish boats can fish inside the Irish Box and, if that is the bottom line, there will be no further development in the Irish fishing industry and 13,000 jobs will be affected?
The points which Deputy Gallagher made range over the entire issues of negotiation and it would be quite impossible and inappropriate for me to deal with them here.
Will the Taoiseach allow time in the House at least for statements to be made on this fundamental issue?
I suggest that that be a matter for discussion between the Whips.
We are discussing it now. Is the Taoiseach prepared to allow time, before it is too late, to have the matter discussed fully here?
I suggest that the Whips discuss it.
This is a very reasonable request.
It does not arise in this way.
The Minister has said that this is too complex a matter to deal with by way of question and answer.
The Deputy is attempting to trivialise the issue.
There is nothing trivial about this.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
All sides of the House are concerned deeply about this matter. The Minister tells us it cannot be dealt with by way of question and answer. Surely, then, it is legitimate for me to ask the Taoiseach to allow time at an early date and before the negotiations are concluded to discuss the issues involved.
Order of Business.
This is impossible. Our worst fears are now confirmed.
Nonsense.
Is there any reason for the Minister of State who has responsibility for Fisheries not answering the question? He ought to be more aware of what is happening than is the Minister for Defence.
In view of our record in 1976 when as Minister for Foreign Affairs I negotiated a trebling of the catch and the subsidisation of our fishing fleet, I do not think the Opposition have too much to worry about.
An agreement was cobbled together in Dublin Castle because of the British Prime Minister.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.