Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his contribution. He outlined in a measured way how the overall agreement is a positive outcome in terms of the wider economy. However, as I have said, there is a significant impact on the fishing sector, albeit that impact is not what it might have been in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It was not what the British Government was looking for, nor was it what was sold to their fishermen in advance of the Brexit vote or since that.

I have outlined clearly in my contribution the disproportionate burden in the quota reallocation that is happening as a result of the outcome of the EU-UK trade and co-operation agreement. I will be taking that to Europe at every possible level and we have communicated our view on this to the European Commission at every level of Government. In the upcoming Agriculture and Fisheries Council meetings, I will be strongly reinforcing that view. Likewise, in the run-up to the next review of the Common Fisheries Policy, which will take place throughout the end of this year and into next year, I will make our view clear. My clear objective and that of the Government will be to try to ensure a strong outcome to the review of the Common Fisheries Policy in terms of the allocation of quota to Ireland and the best possible result from that. I know that is a view that will be shared across all parties and it is an objective within the fisheries sector as well.

On the Deputy's second point on a Minister of State with responsibility for fisheries, I have been honoured and glad in recent weeks to be a full Cabinet Minister who was at the Cabinet table at all times as we prepared for Brexit and as we made sure everything possible could be done in advance of Brexit, particularly as we negotiated and put forward the strongest possible national position throughout the process. Likewise, since then I have been present at Cabinet at all times and I have been engaging with my counterparts at European level. That full Cabinet status for the marine has been more important than ever at this critical juncture for the sector. My county has more of a stake in this issue than any other. As a Donegal man, I have been glad to be in a position to engage with so many fishermen and to represent their interests as a full Cabinet Minister.

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