Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin Browne is absolutely right about the importance of access to the UK waters for the Irish fishing fleet and that some 34% of our catch is there. A no-deal scenario is one we must avoid because it would immediately impact on access and would also have a very significant impact on shares. That is something we have to work to avoid. Across the Government, we have been very forthright in all our engagements and communications with other members states, the EU Commission and Mr. Barnier on the absolute importance of protecting the quota shares we have, protecting the existing access arrangements and the crucial imperative of ensuring that fisheries negotiations are tied to other aspects of the free trade agreement. That is more important at this point in time than at any stage. Those fisheries arrangements and discussions must not get detached. We are also clear that their being annually negotiated would not be acceptable because of the instability it would bring. It is crucial that fishing and other aspects of the free trade agreement continue to be tied, particularly in the next number of days.