Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman and members for their contributions. I welcome Deputy O'Dowd's support as Chairman of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. To touch on Deputy Mac Lochlainn's point, the all-island aspects of this are important. I met the Minister, Mr. Poots, and his team on Tuesday night for a thorough discussion on emerging Brexit issues. It is very important that there is strong engagement and co-operation and this is something I very much value. It is something I have had very strongly with the Minister, Mr. Poots, and the Northern Ireland Executive since I was appointed and it will continue, particularly with regard to the fisheries aspect after Brexit.

Deputy Mac Lochlainn made a point on relative stability and zonal attachment which, of course, was a key argument the British Government made in advance of Brexit and throughout the negotiations, in terms of ensuring its national quota would reflect what is caught in British waters.

Taking back their fish and waters was one of the key objectives put to the British people to vote for Brexit in the first place and throughout the negotiations. Despite looking to take back 100% of the fish caught in UK waters, the final arrangement from the negotiations resulted in a 25% allocation over four to five years.

Britain is now outside the European Union and the Common Fisheries Policy but there is still reciprocal access to waters, thankfully, as a result of the trade and co-operation agreement. Thankfully, we managed to hold the 100% ask about the reallocation of fish caught in their waters to 25%. That is still 25% too much in our estimate. It means a 15% impact on our national quota. That pain is a reflection of why we do not want to give any. Despite the UK having left the European Union, there is still that opportunity for ourselves and other EU fishermen to catch fish in UK waters, however.

It is always massively contested at European level. Every country values the quotas they have. There is reality, however, with the Brexit negotiations, our proximity and the number of species we share with Britain. This has resulted in a disproportionate burden on ourselves compared to other EU member states. I will be taking that forward looking for constructive ways to have that addressed with the objective of making sure that we prioritise quota share for Irish fishermen.

That is a battle we will be having. We know there will be an impact and a readjustment as a result of Brexit. That is the key rationale behind moving to set up the task force. It will use the experience, understanding and insight from coastal communities and those involved in various aspects of the sector. That will very much inform how we can address investing in coastal communities and in the fishing sector in the time ahead.