The EU has voted in favour of the establishment of a new fishery conservation zone on the south west coast of Ireland to replace the controversial Irish Box that covered the entire west coast.
This afternoon both the Irish and Spanish voted against the proposals with the Spanish threatening to take the decision to the European Court because, they say, it discriminates against them.
The Minister for Communications and the Marine, Mr Dermot Ahern, said although he had voted against the proposals he was, in fact, quite happy with them as it recognised the need for conservation of fish stocks on the south-west coast and maintain the restrictions on fishing in other areas off the Irish coast.
Yesterday he said the compromise tabled by the EU Italian presidency did not satisfy Ireland's demands on fishing rights.
The new proposal replaces the existing Irish Box provisions 50 miles off the coastline that previously restricted the number of Spanish vessels licensed to work in the sensitive biological area.
Talks on a regime to protect the area have been continuing since the European Commission brought forward a proposal last December to eradicate the Irish Box - without any alternative provisions to protect the sensitive waters around Ireland.
Mr Ahern said that he had been campaigning since the beginning of the year to put in place alternative measures that would protect the important spawning grounds and juvenile areas around Ireland for key whitefish stocks.