Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis seeking urgent clarification over reports that Iceland could be offered flexibility on fisheries rules if it resumes European Union accession talks.
Mullooly said Ireland must be placed "on high alert" ahead of Iceland's referendum on 29 August on whether to restart negotiations on EU membership. "If Commissioner Kadis is publicly signalling that fisheries flexibility may be found for Iceland, then Ireland has one very simple question: was Ireland consulted, and will Irish waters, Irish quota or Irish fishing opportunity be affected?" Mullooly asked.
The Midlands-North-West MEP said he recognised Iceland's strategic importance in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions but warned that any future arrangement must not disadvantage Ireland. "Ireland is not blind to the bigger picture," he said. "Closer EU-Iceland relations may strengthen Europe's position in the North Atlantic, and a stronger Europe is in Ireland's interest. But European security cannot be built on double standards."
Mullooly argued that Ireland's own strategic role in maritime security, fisheries, offshore energy, ports and coastal communities must also be recognised. "If the Commission is prepared to explore fisheries flexibility for Iceland because fisheries are central to Iceland's economy, geography, identity and strategic position, then the same principle must be recognised for Ireland," he said.
The MEP said concerns already exist within the Irish fishing industry about Iceland's interest in access to blue whiting and warned that references to "EU waters" could include waters of direct Irish interest. "Ireland cannot again discover after the fact that its waters, quota or fishing opportunity have been used as EU negotiating currency," he said.
In his letters, Mullooly seeks confirmation on whether Ireland has been consulted on any potential fisheries exemptions, derogations or special arrangements for Iceland. He is also asking whether discussions involve stocks such as blue whiting, mackerel or herring that are important to Irish fishermen.
The MEP is further seeking written assurances that no arrangement affecting Irish waters or fishing opportunities will proceed without prior consultation with Ireland.
Mullooly said the issue is particularly sensitive given what he described as Ireland's experience of historic under-allocation under the Common Fisheries Policy, Brexit-related quota losses, fleet decommissioning and the recent blocking of Ireland's Hague Preferences for 2026. "Irish fishing communities cannot be expected to accept that the CFP is rigid when Ireland seeks protection, yet flexible when a prospective Member State seeks reassurance," he said.
While stressing that he is not opposed to Iceland, Mullooly said Ireland should approach fisheries with the same strategic focus shown by other coastal states. "This is not hostility towards Iceland. Iceland is demonstrating what a serious coastal state does: it treats fisheries as strategic. Ireland should do the same."
He added that any future Icelandic accession would require the approval of all EU member states, including Ireland. "If flexibility can be found for Iceland before it joins the European Union, fairness must be found for Ireland after fifty years inside it," Mullooly said. "Irish waters are not Brussels' bargaining chip."
