The Minister for Communication and Marine, is no longer committed to protecting the Irish Box or safeguarding the future of the Irish fishing industry, Fine Gael TD Simon Coveney TD claimed today.

The Green Party has called on Marine Minister Dermot Ahern to make the protection of fish stocks his top priority.

THE Irish Fishermen’s Organisation yesterday described as inconceivable that the European Commission would allow legal uncertainty to have developed around fishing in the Irish Box.

SENIOR civil servants are due to travel to Brussels next week for a meeting with European Commission officials in a bid to resolve the current legal uncertainty surrounding fishing in the Irish Box.

THE number of missing persons missions undertaken by Navy divers last year increased by 150%, the latest annual figures reveal.

Irish fishermen off the south-west coast are continuing blockades against foreign fishing vessels.

Irish fishermen have received commitments from two Spanish fishing organisations that they will not extend their fishing activities in the "Irish Box" next year.

Crisis talks are underway among fishermen in Castletownbere in Co Cork following dramatic fish cuts announced by Brussels.

The European Union has thrashed out a deal for fishermen which will see the Irish and Celtic seas receive a special exemption from some of the most drastic cuts in fish quotas ever agreed by the European Union.

The Government tonight rejected as “ludicrous and nonsensical” European Commission plans to scrap fishing ground restrictions and permit Spanish trawlers to operate up to 12 miles from Ireland’s coastline.

THE future of up to 20,000 fishing jobs looked gloomy last night as Marine Minister Dermot Ahern admitted he had a major battle on his hands at EU level.