Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

830. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of negotiations with both the UK and Scottish governments on restoring access for Irish fishermen to the waters around Rockall; and when he last personally spoke to his counterparts in both governments on this matter. [30572/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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. He reiterated this commitment in recent correspondence, and our respective officials are in ongoing contact.

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.