Fishing rights and Brexit
Deputy Murphy stressed the programme for Government promises on fisheries and the dangers facing coastal communities. The Tánaiste agreed and said negotiations with the UK were still under way, with fishing rights and future access to waters still unresolved.
The programme for Government mentions fisheries and the protection of fisheries 12 times between page 7 and page 106. It pledges to:
Ensure protection of the interests of the Irish Fishing industry by insisting that a Fisheries Agreement with the UK is concluded as an integral part of an overall EU Free Trade Agreement with the UK ...
Seek EU Commission contingency supports and market-disturbance funding for the fisheries sector to mitigate against the impact of ... Brexit.
Our fishing industry in Killybegs, Howth, Castletownbere, Dunmore, Kilmore and Duncannon are all waiting with bated breath for news on a deal. In coastal areas fishing is not just an industry; it is an entire community whose very survival depends on them fishing. They deserve to know their fate. I ask the Tánaiste to give an update.
Comment on this
I very much agree with the Deputy's sentiments. We will do all we can to protect our fishing industry and our fishing communities around the country. As Deputies are aware, negotiations are still under way between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Among the issues still being discussed is the issue of fishing rights from 1 January onwards. We are in a difficult position. The United Kingdom has left the European Union and in doing so it takes its waters with it. Up to now, we have been catching about 35% of our fish in UK waters and that may not be open to us in future. We are doing our best in the circumstances to retain access to as much of those waters as possible.