Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for the question. At the moment, any boats that fish within EU waters have to be authorised to do so, must have quotas and are subject to oversight by the respective national bodies that manage control of those waters. For example, any boats that come in to fish in Irish waters are subject to the oversight of the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, and the Naval Service. They are only permitted to fish if they have the permission to be there in the first place, as well as the quota to fish in that area, and are subject to the control and regulation of our respective authorities. Any decisions around sizes of vessels would be up for discussion as part of the Common Fisheries Policy and would be discussed and debated at that point in time. As things stand, boats must have a quota and the right to be in the waters in the first place in order to fish there.

Our absolute focus is on ensuring the outcome of the negotiations is a good one. Let us be under no illusions. A no-deal Brexit would be a bad one for fishing, as it would be for the rest of our economy. It is important that we work to ensure an agreed outcome that is good for the fishing sector and protects its interests in every way possible. That has been our absolute focus, my focus as Minister, and continues to be our focus in all the engagements we have had. That is the clear engagement we have had with Mr. Barnier's team as well. There is no doubt that a no-deal Brexit, which, as the Deputy suggests, could be the outcome, would be damaging for fishing and would mean massive challenges as regards access and quota shares. An agreed outcome and one that is positive for the fishing sector is our absolute priority.