Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
488. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the meetings he had with representatives of the fishing industry between 1 September 2020 and 15 January 2021 regarding Brexit and its impact on the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3175/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFisheries was an extremely important priority for Ireland and the EU as a whole in the Task Force negotiations with the UK. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement will, unfortunately, have an impact on our fishing industry. However, this impact would have been far greater had the Barnier Task Force agreed to UK demands or had we been in a no-deal scenario which would have seen all EU vessels barred from UK waters and subsequent displacement into Ireland's fishing zone.
Since my appointment in September 2020, I have convened three Consultative Committee meetings of all Departmental stakeholders on 16 September, 21 October and 21 December 2020 to allow for a full exchange of information as the negotiations proceeded and to provide updates on the practical implications of the ending of the transition period. Fishing industry representatives were invited to attend these meetings, along with other agri-food stakeholders, and had the opportunity to make interventions.
I also held specific meetings with representatives of the Irish fishing industry on 16 September, 12 October (with an Taoiseach and Minister Coveney) and 9 December 2020 (with Minister Coveney), to brief industry on the state of play with regard to the negotiations and to hear the concerns of industry representatives and discuss the challenges facing the Irish fishing industry after the UK left the EU and the Common Fisheries Policy.
Following the reaching of an Agreement on EU-UK Trade and Cooperation, on 28th December, I (together with an Taoiseach and Minister Coveney) met again with representatives of the Irish fishing industry, where I reassured them that I fully understood their concerns regarding a cut in a number of quota shares. I also assured representatives that we will work together with the sector to develop the necessary supports and approach to address these impacts.
I very much welcome the opportunity to meet with the fishing industry representatives at any time, and look forward to ongoing close cooperation with the fishing sector.
