As Scottish fishermen angrily demonstrated in London yesterday over the fall-out from the UK government’s Brexit deal in Ireland agreement was announced between the Dublin and Belfast governments on reciprocity for fishermen on the Island of Ireland in respect of landings. The move is an encouraging sign for indigenous fishing communities in the West of Ireland and Irish Sea that their livelihoods will not be disrupted:
This report from Lorna Siggins for Afloat.ie:
“Minister for Marine Charlie McConalogue has come to the rescue of Donegal islanders with fishing boats registered in Northern Ireland who were blocked from landing into their nearest port by the Brexit deal.
“Northern Irish vessels and boats owned by fishermen in the Republic which are on the British register were informed that they could only land into two designated ports – Killybegs, Co Donegal and Castletownbere, Co Cork – after January 1st.
“The State’s Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) had recently initiated an investigation into “unauthorised” landings into Greencastle, Co Donegal.
“However, Mr McConalogue says he has arranged for vessels on the British register to land into five additional ports – Greencastle, Burtonport and Rathmullan in Donegal, Ros-a-Mhíl in Galway and Howth in Co Dublin.
“He said he was “ working to make sure the necessary notifications and requirements are in place to have these ports operational from Monday, February 1st”.
Link to full article:
https://afloat.ie/…/49056-marine-minister-mcconalogue…
Image: Howth Harbour, Dublin, from Afloat; ie article
Bernard Moffatt
Assistant General Secretary Celtic League (19th January 2021)
