Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2016
61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the contingency plans that have been put in place to protect the Irish fishing sector in view of the UK decision to leave the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21011/16]
View answerNegotiations on the future relationship between the EU and the UK may not commence for some time yet, and will take a considerable amount of time to complete - at least 2 years, and maybe longer. Within my Department, I have ensured that my officials have been examining all potential implications across a range of very complex issues in fisheries. Unlike other sectors, when it comes to fish stocks, we share and exploit many of the same resources as the UK and must manage those resources within a coastal states framework - whatever the formal relationship. In addition, there are reciprocal access rights for Irish and Northern Irish vessels in each others inshore waters that benefit both.
Since 1983, the fish stocks in the waters around both Ireland and the UK have been managed within the EU under the Common Fisheries Policy. That policy is a complicated construction and none of its interlinked elements can be considered separately, as different agreements have been made over many years of developing the policy.
These and all of the other issues in fisheries are being carefully examined by my Department in the context of the contingency planning that has already taken place and will continue over the coming period in respect of the entire agrifood sector. Specifically on fisheries, my Department has already held an information seminar with industry and other stakeholders. In addition, last week I convened a meeting of key sectorial representatives across all agrifood sectors, including fisheries. The purpose of this Consultative Committee will be to provide a consultative forum on issues arising from Brexit - many of which will be common to all sectors - as negotiations begin and develop.
From an Irish perspective, I will be doing my utmost to ensure that any settlement does not come at a cost to Ireland's’ fishing communities and that our interests are fully protected within the EU. I hope that the EU and the UK act in concert as good neighbours to continue to protect the long-term sustainability of our stocks, our fishing industries and the coastal communities dependant on them.
