Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This matter was raised by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, prior to the recent break. It was sent out and scheduled by the Business Committee over the break as well. The Taoiseach has outlined the reasons behind it. On departure from the EU, access to fisheries in UK waters, as a third country, will be a matter for the EU to negotiate on Ireland's behalf. If the voisinagearrangements are operational at the time of departure, which would require successful enactment of this Bill, it is likely that the EU will recognise the arrangements as pre-existing and bilateral. This is a Brexit imperative and that is why the Business Committee agreed that it would be fast-tracked. I accept that it is only being dealt with in the Seanad today.

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