Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct. Of all the sectors that one that is the most vulnerable, given the UK's opening position on Brexit, is the fishing sector. Ireland's position is quite clear; we want to maintain access to fishing grounds in the UK zone, in the Irish Sea, the Celtic Sea and north of Donegal and to protect our quota share for joint fishing stocks.

That is our opening position. This crosses through a number of strands. If one looks at the opening statement in the Prime Minister, Theresa May's Article 50 letter, it recognised the Irish position. Having met recently with the Secretary of State, David Davies, MP, from the UK side, Michel Barnier remarked that the Irish situation came up more than any other issue in that opening salvo. The fishing sector will certainly be part of that. It is the one that is the most vulnerable in the context of Britain establishing a very hard position on protecting its own territory. Maintaining our position is something that will have the support of everyone in this House and beyond.

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