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Trade Agreements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 February 2021

Wednesday, 24 February 2021

Ceisteanna (1077)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Ceist:

1077. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the voisinage agreement as it relates to reciprocal access to the 0 to 6 nautical miles around the island of Ireland following the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement; and the specific text in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement that addresses this matter. [9937/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Voisinage (or “neighbourhood”) arrangements between Ireland and Northern Ireland have provided reciprocal fishing access for more than 50 years. These arrangements have allowed boats from Northern Ireland to fish in coastal waters in Ireland. They also have allowed Irish-registered fishing boats access to fish in coastal waters in Northern Ireland.

The Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2019 made legislative amendments to the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 that permit fishing by Northern Ireland owned and operated vessels within the 0 to 6 nautical mile zone of the territorial waters of the State. While the Act provides access to Northern Ireland vessels to fish under the terms of the Voisinage arrangements, this access is subject to the same conditions that apply to Irish sea-fishing boats, in line with the general principles agreed as part of the Voisinage arrangements. The Act includes provisions which apply equal treatment for Northern Ireland vessels while fishing in the 0 to 6 nautical mile zone.

The European Commission has confirmed that the arrangements are preserved under the EU-UK Trade & Co-operation Agreement by Article FISH.19 ‘Relationship with other agreements’. The agreement can be found online at https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/draft_eu-uk_trade_and_cooperation_agreement.pdf

The application of the arrangements post-Brexit is governed by the SMEFF Regulation (2017/2043). My Department has contacted Irish sea-fishing boat owners to establish those who wish to be authorised to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone.

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