I would like to assure the Deputy that I fully understand that fisheries are vitally important in economic and socioeconomic terms for our coastal communities. I met, by video link, with the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius on Friday 10 July last. I discussed with the Commissioner the importance of the agreed EU negotiation mandate that sets down clearly the EU objective to “uphold existing reciprocal access conditions, quota shares and traditional activity of the Union fleet”. I also discussed the centrality of the link between the overall economic partnership and the conclusion of a fishing agreement.
This was a very useful first discussion with Commissioner Sinkevicius and it was important to be able to talk first hand with the Commissioner about Ireland's concerns in relation to the potential negative impacts for our fishing communities in Ireland if we do not put in place a fair and balanced Fisheries Agreement with the UK. I reiterated this Government’s full support for the EU negotiating mandate and my confidence that the Commissioner and Michel Barnier will continue to be strong defenders of Irish and EU fishing interests.
I will be meeting with representatives from the fishing industry, including from the Irish South & East Fish Producers Organisation, this week to discuss their concerns in respect of fisheries and the UK's withdrawal from the EU.
It is evident that progress on fisheries has been disappointing so far. This is one of the most difficult areas under negotiation. Fisheries is an important priority for Ireland. We are seeking to protect the interests of the Irish fleet in terms of both access and the quota share it currently enjoys in UK waters. From the outset of the negotiations, Ireland and our EU partners have been clear on our level of ambition in this area and on the fact that progress on an overall trade deal is linked to progress on fisheries. This is reflected in the EU mandate and the draft EU legal text. The EU position was the result of considerable internal discussion and reflects a delicate balance. In sum, we are seeking to uphold continued levels of reciprocal access and stable quotas. The UK Government has a very different approach. They emphasise their status as a “coastal independent state” and insist that new arrangements should be based on annual negotiations, which follow the principle of zonal attachment. Clearly, the two sides are still very far apart. This is very concerning to us – as is reflected in the EU mandate, one of our key priorities is to avoid economic dislocation for Union fishermen that have operated in UK waters. This remains our collective approach. The Task Force is continuing to push for better UK engagement on this area.
Michel Barnier has reiterated that he has a very clear mandate regarding the fisheries sector. He has also been crystal clear that fisheries is an integral part of the negotiations and cannot be separated from progress on other trade issues. Mr Barnier met in late May with fisheries Ministers, where there was clear consensus, including from Ireland, on continued support for the EU mandate’s position on fisheries. The Government fully supports Mr Barnier in his role and we remain confident that Irish and EU fisheries interests will continue to be protected after the transition period has ended.
