Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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11. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Irish fisheries will be included in negotiations in the lead-up to Brexit; the progress made to date to defend Ireland's position in respect of fisheries in the lead-up to Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18263/18]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As I have stated before, fisheries has from the outset been a high priority for Ireland in the Brexit negotiations, and so it will remain. I am determined to ensure that fisheries remain high on the Brexit agenda in the EU and that the interests of Ireland's fishing communities are fully safeguarded.

My continued objective is to ensure that the implications for fisheries are fully taken account of in the negotiations on the framework for a future EU-UK relationship. Ireland’s key priorities in this regard will be maintenance of current access to fishing grounds in the UK zone and protection of Ireland’s existing quota shares.

I am glad to say that Michel Barnier has concurred with our viewpoint that fisheries arrangements must be an integral part of the overall future relationship agreement. As a result, the negotiating guidelines for the future relationship - adopted by the European Council on the 23rd of March - state that: "In the overall context of the FTA, existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained".

In addition, for fisheries, the transition arrangements will involve no change whatsoever to existing arrangements other than the fact that the UK will no longer be part of decision making bodies within the EU.

I continue to engage closely with the Irish fishing industry representatives, in fact, just last week I held a meeting with these stakeholders alongside an Taoiseach and the Tánaiste to discuss Brexit. I am pleased at the level of unity on these key issues both within Ireland and across the rest of the EU fishing industry.

In conclusion, I would like to assure the Deputy that, working together with the Barnier Task Force, this Government and I aim to ensure that fisheries are inextricably linked to overall future relationship negotiations and that all of our existing access rights and quota entitlements are fully protected.