Irish fishermen have said they will continue to fish around the disputed islet of Rockall regardless of threats from the Scottish government, as they have done for decades.
Scotland’s devolved government said last week that it will take action against Irish vessels it says are fishing illegally around Rockall despite the UK being part of the European common fisheries area.
The tiny islet lies 230 miles off the coast of Donegal and 240 miles from the coast of Scotland with Donegal fishermen being at the heart of the international diplomatic dispute.
The Killybegs’ Fisherman’s Organisation reacted to the threats stating to the Irish Times
“If there is an enforcement by the Scottish authorities we will rigorously defend it [our fishing] and we expect and we believe that the Irish Government will fully support in that action”
An Irish navel vessel has been deployed to the area around Rockall in response to the rising tensions.
In the past Rockall, which may sit atop a large deposit of hydrocarbons, has been at the centre of a territorial dispute involving Ireland, Britain, Iceland and Denmark.
In response to the dispute Tánaiste Simon Coveney has said that negotiations rather than threats are needed to resolve the brewing crisis.
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