Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much agree with the Deputy's sentiments. We will do all we can to protect our fishing industry and our fishing communities around the country. As Deputies are aware, negotiations are still under way between the European Union and the United Kingdom. Among the issues still being discussed is the issue of fishing rights from 1 January onwards. We are in a difficult position. The United Kingdom has left the European Union and in doing so it takes its waters with it. Up to now, we have been catching about 35% of our fish in UK waters and that may not be open to us in future. We are doing our best in the circumstances to retain access to as much of those waters as possible.

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