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<p>On 26 February, two Northern Ireland fishing vessels were detained in Dundalk Bay.
The skippers of the boats appeared in court on 1 March. They have since been released
without conviction and the boats returned.</p><p> </p><p>The Voisinage Arrangement
between the UK and Ireland provides for reciprocal access to fish in the 0-6nm zone.
However, the arrangement has been suspended by Ireland following a decision by the
Irish Supreme Court in 2016. As a result, fishing by Northern Ireland vessels within
Ireland’s 0-6nm zone is currently not permitted. The UK has continued to respect the
arrangement but cannot allow this unequal treatment to continue indefinitely.</p><p>
</p><p>The UK Government has made numerous representations to the Irish Government
since 2016 to push for the reinstatement of the arrangement as soon as possible. Following
the seizure of the two vessels, the Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, committed on 1
March to changing the law to restore the status quo to what it was before 2016, and
has indicated that he is confident the legislation can be passed quickly. Government
officials are seeking confirmation from the Irish Government of the timetable for
this.</p><p> </p>
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