Statement by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Michael Creed TD following meeting with Irish Fishing Industry Leaders from Irish Fish Producer, Processor and Inshore Organisations

"I wish to thank the Irish Fisheries representatives for the positive engagement in today’s consultation pertaining to the progress of the Sea Fisheries Bill 2017, which seeks to restore the longstanding reciprocal ‘voisinage’ (neighbourhood) arrangement with Northern Ireland since the 1960s. Today’s discussions were detailed and considered.

"I now intend to proceed with completing the passage of this legislation as a matter of urgency. This will include an amendment which will ensure that there is no question of preferential treatment for Northern Irish vessels while fishing in the 0-6 nautical mile zone. Access will only be granted on the same terms as are applicable to Irish vessels. During the course of the forthcoming debate I also intend to speak to many of the key issues articulated by the industry including concerns regarding the limiting of access to Northern Irish vessels only, and the assurances received from the UK Government in terms of the legal reciprocity of the arrangement."