French move military exercises outside Ireland's exclusive economic zone 

West Cork fishermen seeking a 10 year moratorium on military exercises by any foreign navy taking place within Ireland’s EEZ

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of Irish South and West Fish Producers: 'We don’t agree with these exercises but this was the best scenario we could have reached and we did it within 24 hours.' File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

West Cork fishermen are claiming a second victory in their ongoing campaign to prevent foreign navies carrying out military exercises within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after it was confirmed that planned manoeuvres by French naval vessels will be relocated further away from Irish waters.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed on Twitter that France will not carry out the operations within Ireland’s EEZ. The French Embassy in Dublin also issued a statement confirming the news.