The EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Franz Fischler, arrives in Dublin this morning for a series of meetings including one with representatives of the fishermen who protested over the weekend at ports in the south-west.
Skippers in Castletownbere, Co Cork, and Dingle, Co Kerry, blocked access by non-Irish vessels to berths in both harbours from Friday night. The protest was initiated in response to fears that the EU intends to allow unrestricted access to the Irish Box from January 1st next.
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, will register his strong opposition to any dismantling of the box when he meets Dr Fischler. Currently, some 40 Spanish vessels have legal access to the 50-mile box which was designed to protect a rich fishing ground from the onslaught of the Spanish fleet, the largest in the community.
Restrictions in the Irish Box are more honoured in the breach than in the observance, with some 70 per cent of fishing in Irish waters concentrated in this area over the last decade. Much of the fishing - legal and illegal - is done by Spanish and French fleets and "flag of convenience" vessels, several of which are on the Irish register.
Dr Fischler's visit was originally intended to focus on selling his reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy, which caused a furore when announced in July last.
However, Dr Fischler will be told by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Walsh, who he will meet first today, that the Government is opposed to him pushing forward with any proposals which amend current CAP policies.