Written answers

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Rockall Island Ownership

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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393. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of negotiations with the British Government to restore access to the waters around Rockall for Irish fishermen; his views on whether this is a breach of the spirit of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and if the European Commission has been involved in these negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14389/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I continue to work closely with my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to address the issues related to Rockall, reflecting the longstanding fisheries tradition in the area.

I have outlined Ireland’s position on Rockall and considered possible ways forward in contacts with the UK and Scottish Governments over the course of the past year.

I last met with my Scottish counterpart, Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson on 9 March and we discussed this issue. We agreed to continue to prioritise this matter and to work together to seek to resolve outstanding issues. 

Our officials also remain in ongoing contact with the European Commission on all matters relating to the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, including fisheries.

Through these engagements, the Government is seeking to address the issues involved, reflecting longstanding fisheries patterns in the area. 

The Government's position in relation to territorial claims on Rockall is consistent and longstanding Irish Government policy.

Ireland has never made any claims to Rockall, which is a small uninhabitable granite rock located approximately 160 nautical miles west of the Scottish islands of St. Kilda and some 230 nautical miles to the north-west of Donegal.

Nor has Ireland ever recognised British sovereignty claims over Rockall, and accordingly has not recognised a 12 nautical mile territorial sea around it either.

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