My question relates to Brexit. In light of the draft agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union, to which, understandably, we are not yet privy, can the Taoiseach advise the House on the implications for the marine and fisheries sectors? Are the negotiations on the marine and fisheries linked to the trade negotiations?

Over 60% of our mackerel quota is caught in UK waters, as is over 30% of our nephrops and over 30% of crab fished by Donegal vessels. It could have devastating implications. Hopefully it will not but is the Taoiseach in a position to advise us yet?

Fisheries has been a major topic of discussion over the last couple of weeks involving all the member states and the EU institutions. Access for our fishermen to UK waters is extremely valuable. Some 30% or 40% of all the fish our fishermen take out of the sea are taken from British waters. Indeed, some of the most valuable fish such as mackerel and prawns are taken by Irish trawlers from UK waters. I often hear the narrative that Irish fisheries were sold out when we joined the European Union but, in fact, we take a huge amount of our fish from UK waters and, like the French, Dutch, Belgians and Spanish, we wish to continue to have access to those waters after Brexit. Nothing will change during the transition period but during that period it will be necessary to negotiate a future relationship which would include issues such as fisheries. Obviously, we will want to continue to have access to UK waters while the UK will want to continue to sell its fish to the European Union. The UK will want other things as well, for example, with regard to financial services. It will also want access to European markets and to have an open skies agreement for aviation. All these matters are interlinked and will be part of the future relationship-----

We cannot discuss all of them now.

-----and while the UK might have a strong hand when it comes to fisheries we have a strong hand when it comes to services and other matters too.