AQW 13351/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/01/2021
Answered On Date: 12/02/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with (i) the UK Government; and (ii) the Irish Government in relation to the outstanding issue of Northern Irish boats being excluded from landing catches in all but two ports in the Republic of Ireland.

Answer:

The issue of Northern Irish registered boats being excluded from landing catches in all but two ports in Ireland has been drawn to the attention of the UK Government (UKG). There have subsequently been a number of meetings between my officials and UKG officials in DEFRA in an effort to better understand the situation and to explore a satisfactory resolution. On 18th January 2021 Minister Poots met with DEFRA Minister Prentis and this was one of the issues raised.

In early January Minister Poots instructed officials to request a meeting with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Minister McConalogue to discuss a range of EU Exit issues, including fisheries issues. On 18th January 2021, DAFM announced an additional five ports to the existing two designated Irish ports (Killybegs and Castletownbere), to which Northern Ireland vessels can land their fish in Ireland. At a meeting with the Irish Minister McConalogue on 20th January 2021, Minister Poots welcomed the announcement of the additional five ports and requested consideration be given to designating further ports to assist the Northern Ireland fishing fleet in addition to those ports announced on 18th January 2021. Minister McConalogue informed Minister Poots he would continue to monitor the issue.