De facto hard border for Northern Irish fishing boats
Northern Irish trawlers limited to just two ports in the Republic where they can land their catch.
Vessels registered in NI are now restricted to landing their catch at just two ports in the Republic of Ireland, reports the BBC. New Irish Government rules that came into effect on 31st December mean that NI-registered boats are only permitted to offload at Killybegs in Donegal and Castletownbere in Cork.
In a statement, the Irish Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine said the issue is “an outcome of Brexit” and added that Minister Charlie McConalogue is “aware of the issue” and “will continue to look at options to resolve it”.
Harry Wick, chief executive of the Northern Irish Fish Producers Organisation, says the issue affects approximately 40 boats based in the north-west. He said: “For the Irish government to insist that these vessels need to land their catch in either of these two ports, it makes that fishing operation unviable overnight…”
