British environment secretary Michael Gove has said the UK government is committed to protecting our strong, historic ties with Ireland , in spite of its Brexit strategy to pull out of key coastal and offshore fishery management agreements.
Mr Gove has also said the UK government is keen to work collaboratively with the Republic to help resolve any legal issues around the voisinage agreement a north-south agreement on reciprocal fishing rights.
A spokesman for Mr Gove’s department of environment, rural and food affairs (Defra) made the remarks after a conference call with Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine Michael Creed on Brexit-related issues.
Mr Creed, who said he expressed his concern over Britain’s declaration last week that it was pulling out of the 1964 London Fisheries Convention, is now expected to review Ireland’s commitment to promised legislation on cross-Border fishing rights.
A spokesman said he was reflecting on the legislation, which is at committee state in the Seanad.
Mr Creed is expected to be questioned on Ireland’s Brexit strategy at a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine meeting on Tuesday.
Both the London convention and an informal voisinage (neighbourly relations) arrangement between the Republic and Northern Ireland date to the mid-1960s, but Britain wants to withdraw from the first to close off any loopholes in access to its waters by European Union vessels while also hoping Ireland will continue with its plans to legislate for the second.
Mr Gove’s declaration on July 2nd been interpreted as the first real shot on Brexit, and prioritises its intent to withdraw from the EU common fisheries policy (CFP) management system governing 12- to 200-mile limits.
He described it as an important first step in becoming an independent coastal state allowing us to control our waters and negotiate access with other countries.
2017 THE IRISH TIMES