Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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154. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if EU security issues were discussed at the December 2018 EU General Affairs Council meeting. [53436/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State for European Affairs, Helen McEntee T.D., represented Ireland at the General Affairs Council on 11 December 2018 which prepared the draft Conclusions for the European Council meeting on 13-14 December.

These welcomed progress made in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, including reform of EU Civilian CSDP, a longstanding ambition of Ireland. It also reflected the steps that have been taken in the implementation of Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO); of the European Defence Fund; and of EU-NATO cooperation. In regard to the latter, it is important to note that such cooperation fully respects the decision making autonomy of both organisations and does not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member States. Ministers also discussed the implementation of the Joint Action Plan on disinformation, aspects of which also have a bearing on security issues.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of fisheries was discussed in the context of the draft withdrawal treaty at the most recent EU General Affairs Council meeting in November 2018. [50449/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The issue of fisheries, in the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, was addressed by Member States during the GAC Article 50 meeting on 19 November 2018.

Fisheries and fish products are not addressed in the Withdrawal Agreement. The Withdrawal Agreement sets the terms of the UK’s departure from the EU. However, arrangements on fisheries will be an important aspect of negotiations on the future relationship and, as set out in the Political Declaration agreed in November, both sides are committed to using best endeavours to have agreement on this in place by July 2020.

The EU has been clear in its own negotiating guidelines, adopted by the European Council in March last year, that, in the overall context of the EU-UK Free Trade Agreement, existing reciprocal access to fishing waters and resources should be maintained.

At the GAC in November, I made clear the importance Ireland attaches to this issue, making clear our view that the EU needs to stick closely to the March European Council guidelines on this issue. Fisheries is a priority for this Government, and we want to ensure we maintain current access to fishing and Ireland’s quota share of fish stocks. We will pursue this as a priority as part of our input on the negotiations on the future relationship.

At home, we continue to provide support to sectors most impacted by Brexit, including fisheries. The funding provided to Departments in Budget 2019 includes a €78m package for farmers, fishermen, food SMEs and to cover additional costs related to Brexit.