Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020
931. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the minutes and action points arising will be provided from his recent meeting with EU Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius. [20138/20]
View answerI met with Fisheries Commissioner Virginius Sinkevicius by video link on 23 July to discuss Ireland's fisheries priorities, in particular our concerns regarding the impact of the UK's departure from the EU on our fishing industry.
I explained to the Commissioner that I had met with representatives of Ireland's fisheries sector the previous day and heard first-hand the substantial impacts if there were significant changes to the current quota shares and access to waters arising from the EU/UK negotiations.
I emphasised the importance of not isolating fisheries from the other elements of the Future Relationship negotiations. I made clear to the Commissioner that we are placing our full reliance on Mr Barnier and the Commissioner delivering on 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 assured the Commissioner of my full commitment and co-operation in working to deliver a fisheries agreement that protects the interests of the Irish fishing sector now and into the future.
The discussion also covered other fisheries priorities including the EU funding package for the seafood sector, including COVID-related supports; the negotiations on a new EU Control framework and control challenges facing Ireland, which were raised by the Commissioner; and finally the very strong commitment to progressing further our joint EU commitment to sustainable fisheries. I advised the Commissioner of the commitments in the Programme for Government in these areas and that I will be progressing these issues over the coming period.
