The Sinn Féin leader is warning that the protection of Irish fishing families needs to be the Government’s number priority in the ongoing diplomatic dispute with Scotland.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald was speaking as Irish fishing boats continue to defy Scotland’s ban on fishing at Rockall – an uninhabited rock some 400km west of the Donegal coast.

Last week, the Government rejected Scotland’s threat of “enforcement action” against Irish fishing vessels around the rock – noting that Irish boats have operated the unhindered for decades.

Rockall

Ownership of the rock has been in dispute for decades – since the UK claimed it as its own in 1955.

Ireland does not recognise the claim and has noted that uninhabited rocks and skerries provide no legal basis for establishing claims to mineral rights in seabed or to fishing rights in the surrounding seas.

On Friday, the Tánaiste Simon Coveney said Ireland has never recognised the UK claim and noted Irish boats are entitled to access to the waters around the rock.

Over the weekend, however Scotland escalated its threats and said Scottish authorities could begin boarding Irish boats.

Deputy McDonald said Ireland must not abandon fishing crews facing the threat of legal action form Scottish authorities in waters that do not belong to Britain.

Fishing

Sinn Fein is among those saying Ireland cannot abandon fishing crews under threat of action from Scottish authorities, in waters that do not belong to Britain.

“We need to protect them,” she said. “Defend fishermen and fishing families.”

“That needs to be the priority and I don’t think we should be drawn into any kind of posturing of any sort.

“There is a real job to be done here because there is now real concern amongst the fishing community that our interests are going to be damaged and that people’s livelihoods will be put on the line.”

Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to deploy Sea Fisheries Protection Agency vessels to protect the fishing boats.

Livelihoods

Sean O'Donoghue from the Killybegs Fishermens' Organisation said the Scottish threats represent a major challenge to the livelihoods of fishing families.

“This time of the year, given that Rockall is out in the north east Atlantic and there are very inclement climates at times, this time of year is the best time to go to Rockall,” he said.

“You could have ten to 15 Irish vessels there – particularly during the summer months.

“It is a significant livelihood for quite a lot of the white fish vessels out of Greencastle and Killybegs in Donegal.”