MEPs sink plan to open up Irish Box

The European Parliament has overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to give the Spanish fishing fleet free access to the Irish Box.

The parliament voted by 334 to 108 to maintain the existing restrictions on Spanish fishing vessels in Irish waters for the next 10 years.

The move was welcomed today by Fine Gael marine spokesman Simon Coveney.

"The European Parliament has now given a clear thumbs-down to the European Commission's plans to allow unrestricted access to the Irish Box for Spanish fishermen," said Deputy Coveney.