Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 March 2017
254. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the legislation that is in place to allow Irish vessels to fish in the 0 to 6 mile zone of the coast of Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reciprocal fishing arrangements between Ireland and Northern Ireland known as Voisinage arrangements allow vessels from Ireland to fish in the area from 0 to 6 nautical miles of Northern Ireland subject to the same treatment as vessels there, with equivalent access for vessels owned and operated in Northern Ireland to Ireland's 0 to 6 nautical mile zone. Following the Supreme Court Judgment of 27 October 2016 which found that there was insufficient provision in domestic law for these arrangements, Northern Ireland vessels have been unable to fish in the Irish 0 to 6 nautical mile zone. It is of note, however, that our Northern Irish counterparts continue to allow access to Irish vessels to their 0 to 6 nautical mile zone in line with the terms of the Voisinage arrangements.
As appropriate on an issue like this, there has been active engagement on this issue between myself and my Northern counterpart, the Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen MLA. Similarly there has been regular contact at official level between our respective departments. To date it has been made clear by our Northern Irish counterparts that they remain satisfied that the letters exchanged which underpin the original arrangements are sufficient basis on which to continue access.
