Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Nobody could tell the Deputy "Yes" or "No". I can, however, tell him that the approach I have taken as Minister is the reason that no mandate has been agreed at European level in respect of any engagement with Iceland. While other member states could vote us down, should they decide to, and go for a qualified majority vote, they are respecting the position I am taking at European level and the position I am outlining, which is very much that our waters should be respected and if there is any access to our waters, we should be the ones who gain in terms of fish. That is the approach I have taken. Not all are in agreement with that approach and those lines I have laid out. That is why there has not been consensus or agreement. I must recognise the fact that other member states are very much respecting the position I have taken and, as a result, we have not had a mandate. I have continued to take that clear, coherent and strong line on any engagement and it is my full intention and hope that by doing so, we will continue to ensure that our position is respected. We have improved our position in each of the four years I have conducted negotiations with the EU on behalf of Ireland in relation to Iceland by reducing the amount of fish its fishers can catch in our waters, reducing Iceland's access to our waters and incrementally increasing the amount of fish our fishermen can fish over those four years.

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