Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to make a number of points strongly in respect of Brexit. Members are aware that the prospect of a UK vote to leave the European Union presents potentially highly significant challenges for Ireland. This is especially true from an agrifood sector perspective. The figures speak for themselves as the UK is by far the largest trading partner for Ireland. According to the Central Statistics Office, in 2015 we exported almost €5.1 billion worth of agricultural products and our imports from the UK were worth €3.8 billion. Although there still is great uncertainty about the outcome and the changed landscape if the UK decides to leave, the Government has started to consider the likely arrangements to be made in the event of an exit vote. The treatment of four main areas - namely, tariffs and trade, EU budgets, regulations and standards, and customs controls and certification - will impinge on the agrifood sector. In addition, the immediate impact of a Brexit obviously would mean a dramatic reduction in the value of the pound. Those Members who understand how the agrifood trade works across the Border, as do most, will be aware that the strength of the British pound has driven strong prices at a time when prices have been quite weak in the rest of Europe, particularly in respect of beef last year. Consequently, with half of its beef exports going there, the United Kingdom is Ireland's biggest beef market by far. If the pound is strong, it makes us highly price-competitive. However, were the pound to weaken dramatically, as it undoubtedly would were the United Kingdom to decide to leave, Ireland would have competitiveness problems with both beef and dairy prices and across a range of other services, technologies and agrifood products. This is a major issue for Ireland and Members should be following it closely. I am and will be in Northern Ireland for at least one if not two meetings to talk about these issues with regard to the interests of farmers in the Six Counties in the context of this vote.

I wish to address briefly the fisheries sector to raise some key issues that are of interest to some Members present. The possibility of Brexit poses the risk of a serious and complex situation for Ireland's fishing industry, as the UK is our second largest single market for seafood after France. The most complex fisheries issues are those related to the possibility of restricted access to fishing grounds and resources. The most likely approach would involve complex negotiations to try to determine how mutual access to shared traditional fishing grounds could be maintained and to address possible new sharing arrangements for fish stocks. It obviously is in Ireland’s interests for the United Kingdom to remain in the EU and this is particularly the case with regard to the two sectors to which I have referred today.

Before I conclude, I will touch on an issue currently facing the fisheries sector. I have been considering all the concerns raised by Deputies and by the fishing industry on the implementation of the EU points system for serious infringements of the Common Fisheries Policy. In this respect, I met representatives of the fishing industry yesterday morning and had a long and direct discussion on these issues. I also have asked the Attorney General, as a matter of urgency, to examine the statutory instrument I signed into law at the beginning of March. I have asked her in particular to consider the issue of whether there is a way in which the assignment of points for licence holders can await the completion of the prosecution process, while at the same time ensuring that Ireland is fully in compliance with its obligations under EU law. Some Members of this House have raised the issue of trying to vote down the statutory instrument that I introduced in this regard a number of weeks ago.

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