Following the publication of the readiness notice on 17 August, my Department engaged with the Department of Foreign Affairs to discuss the practical implications this readiness notice would have for Irish vessels landings into Northern Irish ports and for Northern Ireland vessels landings into Irish ports. After exchanges between DFA and the UK Task Force, it was clarified in November that, in line with the Northern Ireland protocol, landings by Northern Ireland vessels would be treated as landings by third country vessels for the purposes of Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) legislation and North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC); that Northern Ireland vessels landing into Irish ports would not be subject to Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements and that Irish vessels landing into Northern Ireland ports would have to land in NEAFC designated ports. A link to the readiness notice was published on my Department's website and on the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) website to ensure that the notice was readily available for members of the Irish fishing industry.
However, up until the conclusion of EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement on Christmas Eve, it remained unclear whether Northern Ireland vessels that had access to Irish waters would continue to have such access.
The SFPA submitted papers on 25th September and 10th December to my Department on the designation of third country ports, firstly looking at potential designation of ports around Ireland and then more specifically at a third country port designation in North Donegal, namely Greencastle. Given the significant practical and cost implications for the State in the designation of EU ports for Third Country landings because under EU Regulations such designations represent an entry point to the European Union following which food is free to circulate within the full EU common market, the SFPA did not recommend designation of third country ports at this time. In any ports designated, Ireland is obliged to ensure that it has in place a meaningful control presence.
I met with the SFPA on 25th November 2020, where this matter was discussed. I met with the SFPA again on 8th and 13th January 2021 to discuss designations. Following on from this consultation with the SFPA, I have decided to designate five additional Irish ports, for both IUU and NEAFC purposes, to accept UK registered-Northern Ireland vessel landings.
The five new ports designated are Ros a Mhíl, Howth, Greencastle, Rathmullen and Burtonport and join Killybegs and Castletownbere which continue to be designated for landings from vessels of any third country origin. Under the new designations, Ros a Mhíl and Howth will be able to accommodate landings of whitefish and prawn from vessels under 26 metres and will operate Monday to Friday from 10am to 10pm. Greencastle, Rathmullen and Burtonport will be designated for non-quota species landings from vessels under 18 metres and will operate from 2pm to 8pm from Monday to Friday.
From 1st January 2021, the United Kingdom is a third country and subject to IUU legislation and NEAFC requirements. This means that any UK registered vessel, including any Northern Ireland registered vessel, must comply with third country landing requirements when landing in the EU, including Irish ports. This is a direct result of Brexit and included in the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
The designation of extra Irish ports is an important decision, which will allow fishers in small vessels to continue their livelihoods in a safe manner following Brexit. It is important now more than ever, to support our fishers and fishing communities and to do all we can do help them continue their livelihoods. I am working to make sure the necessary notifications and requirements are in place to have these ports operational from Monday, 1 February 2021.
Any UK-Northern Ireland registered boats landing into any of the seven Irish ports will have to comply with additional documentary and procedural requirements as a result of Brexit. Designation of ports is within the State’s authority, but all requirements and protocols are subject to EU and international law and must be strictly adhered to to gain entry to ports.
