Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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176. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which he continues to monitor and engage with the various bodies involved in the fishing industry with particular reference to challenges arising from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24425/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that fisheries remains a high priority for Ireland.  Brexit poses enormous challenges for the Irish fisheries sector and our coastal communities which are so reliant upon this sector. 

This Government is seeking to protect the interests of the Irish fleet in terms of both access and the quota share it currently enjoys in UK waters. From the outset of the negotiations, Ireland and our EU partners have been clear on our level of ambition in this area and on the fact that progress on an overall trade deal is linked to progress on fisheries. It has been made clear to the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevicius, that this  Government is placing our full reliance on Mr Barnier and the Commissioner to deliver on the agreed EU negotiation mandate that sets down clearly the EU objective to “uphold existing reciprocal access conditions, quota shares and traditional activity of the Union fleet."

I have convened a Consultative Committee for this afternoon (16th September) of all Departmental stakeholders to allow for a full exchange of information as negotiations proceed and to provide updates on the practical implications of the ending of the transition period.

I am also meeting with representatives of the Irish fishing industry today, which will afford the industry the opportunity to discuss the challenges it faces as the UK leaves the Common Fisheries Policy. I will be making it clear that I will continue to press for a fisheries agreement with the UK that upholds both existing quota shares and existing reciprocal access to UK waters. I will also continue to press for the maintenance of the linkage of fisheries to the overall economic partnership agreement as this will be central to a successful fisheries agreement. I will also assure the industry representatives of my commitment, and that of the Government, to work towards a fisheries agreement with the UK that protects the interests of the Irish fishing industry and ensures a long-term future for our coastal communities dependant on fisheries.

Our enterprise agencies are continuing to work with seafood companies to help them to be market ready  with the ending of the transition period.