It was billed as symbolic and momentous, but circumstances threw up a practical dimension to Friday's first meeting of the British-Irish Council. Just hours before, European fisheries ministers had concluded one of the toughest pre-Christmas councils ever, with some of the most severe cuts in whitefish quotas directed at Irish Sea fleets.
The effect on fishermen on both sides of the water and both sides of the Border was acknowledged by both Mr Blair and Mr Ahern. Both administrations are to co-operate in an Irish Sea recovery plan, which may include the total closure of spawning areas and technical measures to reduce catches of undersized fish.
The fact that the Irish Sea was the worst hit came as little surprise to fishing industry representatives, given the scientific evidence on the state of stocks. The scale of the cuts in some species was not anticipated, however, as socio-economic and political considerations always weigh heavily on European fisheries ministers' minds. Northern Irish fishermen, who stand to lose £5 million annually out of total annual gross figure of about £23 million, were particularly angry at the targeting of prawns when the scientific advice was in their favour.
Unfortunately, science does not appear to be on the side of Irish Sea cod, as reflected in the 62 per cent cut agreed. It is too easy to blame the decline on overfishing alone. The Irish Sea is at the fringe of the fish's migratory route, extending from Iceland to Newfoundland's Grand Banks.
Cod can lay nine million eggs and inhabit waters of 120 feet and less, and prefer ambient but not warm temperatures. There is evidence that global warming may be reducing its breeding success at the southern end of its range, while the effect of seals on cod stocks is well known among both scientists and fishermen around this coast.
The Irish Sea situation highlights the need for marine research, including the seal issue, and the Government's commitment to purchasing a second research vessel is to be welcomed. It also highlights the need for a closer look at the very management regime which has failed to conserve stocks over the past 16 years in European waters - the EU Common Fisheries Policy, with its flawed system of quotas.
When such a policy is more honoured in the breach than the observance, and when the EU Commission will take little or no action over loopholes like the "flag of convenience" issue, it is small wonder that fishing skippers feel disillusioned. The fact that this State's surveillance system is also under threat, with much uncertainty over Government plans for the Naval Service and Air Corps, does not instil confidence. To add to this uncertainty, half of the Naval Service fleet has been tied up for most of this month, awaiting work on removal of small amounts of asbestos. With another vessel undergoing a refit, five of the fleet's eight ships are unlikely to carry out patrols again until sometime in the new year.