Irish fisherman have warned that without an agreement with the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit, there will be chaos at sea and blockades at ports in France and elsewhere from 1 November.
The chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, Sean O'Donoghue, said up to half of the €2.5bn industry is at risk if fisherman are banned from UK waters from 1 November and thousands of jobs could be at risk.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr O’Donoghue, chief executive of the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation, said fishermen want to see agreement reached with the UK so that the status quo will apply to Irish fishermen until a full agreement is reached.
Mr O'Donoghue was among a group of fishermen who met with the chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier yesterday.
Mr O'Donoghue said he felt reassured by the meeting with Mr Barnier that fisheries will not be isolated in any trade negotiations that take place.
He said there was discussion of financial aid for the industry in the event of a no deal scenario, but the preference is for access to UK waters to remain and vice versa for UK fishermen.
Mr O’Donoghue said that from 1 November if no agreement is reached fisheries will be immediately affected with flashpoints at sea and blockades in ports.
He said "nothing will move in the Channel or French ports" and it will be an absolute disaster.
Mr O'Donoghue said that 60 to 70% of Irish fishing is dependent on fish from northern UK waters.
