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

The Irish Fishermen's Organisation has urged its members to look favourably at the new deal on quota allocations negotiated by EU fisheries ministers over the past week.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has held meetings with European Commission president Romani Prodi and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar to discuss Irish concerns about the fishing policy reforms.