Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1089. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if boats (details supplied) have been put forward by his Department to the EU Commission for authorisation by the UK authorities for fishing rights in the zero to six nautical mile region off the Northern Ireland coasts; the dates these were forwarded; when a decision is expected on this application; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11837/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Voisinage(or “neighbourhood”) arrangements between Ireland and Northern Ireland have provided reciprocal fishing access for more than 50 years. These arrangements have allowed boats from Northern Ireland to fish in coastal waters in Ireland. They also have allowed Irish-registered sea-fishing boats access to fish in coastal waters in Northern Ireland.

The European Commission has confirmed that the arrangements are preserved under the EU-UK Trade & Co-operation Agreement by Article FISH.19 ‘Relationship with other agreements’. The application of the arrangements post-Brexit is governed by the Sustainable Management of External Fishing Fleets Regulation (2017/2403).

My Department contacted Irish sea-fishing boat owners to establish those who wish to be authorised to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone. My Department has regularly submitted lists of the applicant vessels to the European Commission seeking authorisation for them to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone. However, none have yet been authorised to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone by the UK authorities. My Department is continuing to review applications from Irish sea-fishing boat owners, and a further list of those seeking authorisation to fish in the Northern Ireland 0-6 nautical mile zone will be submitted to the European Commission shortly.

I can confirm that the boats specified by the Deputy were included in a list of boats my Department submitted to the European Commission on 15 January.