Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kehoe and he is completely right that this is a crucial time for the sector that will have significant implications for many years ahead. Our priority has been to protect the fish stocks, quotas and allocations that we have. We want our fishermen to be able to continue to fish and for that not to be diminished. This has been our position in our engagements with Mr. Barnier and with the eight other member states with whom we have built up solidarity. As to how the engagement with the UK is developing, we want to protect access to the British waters and the quota allocation that we have and, in doing so, very importantly, the ties between the other aspects of the free trade agreement and fisheries are absolutely essential. We very much trust that Mr. Barnier will fight hard and he has been fighting hard in that regard. It is going to be very important that in the next few days and at all times in that engagement with Mr Barnier that we emphasise the importance of protecting the quota and access. That remains central in his engagement and negotiations with the UK.