The unresolved issue of the Irish Box will be the subject of discussions planned in Rome tomorrow between the Minister for the Marine, Mr Dermot Ahern, and his Italian counterpart.
The Italian fisheries minister, Mr Paolo Scarpa Bonazza Buora, will have the responsibility of trying to achieve a political resolution of the divisive issue as the Italian government now holds the EU presidency.
The talks are being held in advance of the next EU fisheries council.
Ireland has already rejected a compromise Box proposed by the European Commission, claiming it did not provide sufficient protection for stocks in the 50-mile exclusion zone.
"It is essential that any new regime provides real protection for fish stocks in western waters generally and particularly in the waters around Ireland," Mr Ahern, said today. "Our industry is largely dependent on these stocks and the continued protection against increased Spanish fishing effort is vital for the survival of Ireland's peripheral coastal communities."
"This is the simple message I will convey and I will be seeking the Italian Presidency to bring forward a revised proposal that offers the necessary protection to the sensitive stocks in our waters," he added.
