Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he expects to be in a position to ensure maximum employment to derive from the fishing industry, including the entitlement for Irish trawlers to continue to fish in traditional waters in keeping with established practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31845/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Deputy is referring to the potential threat to Ireland’s access to our traditional fishing grounds in what will be the UK’s EEZ post Brexit. I would like to reassure you that the key priorities of Ireland and the EU 27 will be the maintenance of current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone in the Irish Sea, Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and the protection of Ireland’s existing quota shares. My continued objective is to ensure that the implications for fisheries are fully taken account of in the establishment of the framework for a future EU-UK relationship.
The results of my engagement with the Barnier Task Force, in close collaboration with the Tánaiste are evident in the agreed EU position that fisheries are to be protected in the texts of the transitional arrangements and the guidelines for the future relationship. In the proposed Withdrawal agreement, the text on fisheries is very clear – there can be no change to the status quo on access to fishing grounds or quota share during the transition period. The EU 27 accepts the key point that fisheries is a zero sum game and that any gain for the UK would mean a loss for Ireland and the rest of the EU.
In recent months, I have continued to have positive, regular meetings with my European colleagues, especially those from the group of 8 member states whose fisheries are most impacted by the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. I am also working closely with key stakeholders in the Irish fishing industry and am pleased at the level of unity on these key issues.
In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that, working together with the Barnier Task Force, I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall future relationship negotiations and that all of our existing access rights and quota entitlements are fully protected.
