UK ‘unhelpful’ in cancelling fishing deal, says Ireland

THE Irish government has branded a UK decision to withdraw from an arrangement that allows other countries to fish in British waters as “unhelpful”.

The Government will officially announce plans today to reclaim its waters for British fishermen by pulling out of the London Fisheries Convention, which pre-dates the EU.

But the decision has angered ministers in Ireland, traditionally close allies of the UK on Brexit issues.

The deal allows vessels from France, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands to fish within six and 12 nautical miles of the UK coastline.

Britain says pulling out would let the UK regain control of its waters. Michael Creed, the Irish agriculture and marine minister, dubbed the announcement “unwelcome and unhelpful”.

He said: “It is a part of Brexit and will be considered by the EU 27 member states and the [Michel] Barnier team when the negotiations commence.”

It came as Policy Exchange, a Rightleaning UK think tank, said Ireland should give “serious consideration” to following Britain out of the EU.

♦ Power-sharing talks in Northern Ireland could run into next week after Gerry Adams, the Sinn Fein leader, suggested the deadline for a deal will not be met today. Government sources last night reiterated the desire in Westminster to avoid direct rule at all costs. James Brokenshire, the Northern Ireland Secretary, could today offer an extended timetable.