Irish fisheries groups would have sought Iceland-style EU exemptions

Irish fisheries stakeholders would have demanded the same concessions from the European Union if Iceland had secured exemptions in fisheries, Irish broadcaster RTÉ journalist Tony Connelly told mbl.is.

Ireland followed Iceland’s referendum closely, particularly because of the importance of fisheries and Ireland’s current presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Connelly attended a government press conference in Harpa, where he asked three ministers whether they had wanted the EU to show greater flexibility on fisheries. Kristrún said the question was difficult to answer, as fisheries were both important to Icelanders and an emotional issue. The referendum had demonstrated that importance, she said, although it was harder to say how the EU should have handled the matter.

“When the European Union indicated that there was room for Iceland, Irish fisheries stakeholders were very quick to say: If Iceland gets something like that, then we want it too,” Connelly said.

He said Ireland’s position was similar to Iceland’s in some respects. Irish fishermen also have concerns about mackerel, believing that Iceland has taken too large a quota of young mackerel, affecting the stock as the fish mature.

Connelly said the referendum had received close attention in Ireland. Had the result been yes, accession negotiations might have started before Ireland handed over the presidency at the end of the year.