Fishermen seek resolution of Irish Box issue

Fishermen have urged Marine Minister Dermot Ahern and the European Commission to resolve the confusion surrounding the so-called Irish Box for once and for all.

Representatives of the fishing industry met Mr Ahern for more than two-and-a-half hours today to discuss the matter, as well as new EU restrictions on the amount of time trawlers can spend at sea.

Despite the talks, Frank Doyle, General Secretary of the Irish Fishermen's Organisation, said the status of the Irish Box is no clearer.

"There are several different legal opinions on this, apparently all differing in some shape or form, and really what the minister has to do is to try and get the commissioner and the other member states fully engaged in getting clarity and finality into the matter," he said.