Patrick Murphy, CEO of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, told the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine that ultimately the Common Fisheries Policy would have to be "re-examined" if this were to happen.
Mr Murphy, along with Seán O 'Donoghue of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, told politicians today that the fishing industry should be not be seen as a sector to be traded, during Brexit negotiations. Mr O'Donoghue said that if preferential access is given to the UK for a range of other internal market services, there has to be a reciprocal arrangement for fishing access. Mr O'Donoghue said it has been made "crystal clear" that postponing a deal on fisheries 'is akin to a no deal scenario for us" and it would result in the fishing industry having none of the leverage of other sectors in negotiating its position.