Simon Coveney has said the Government will not be sending in the navy over Rockall.
The Tánaiste ruled out gunship diplomacy for now in the new dispute with Scotland over fishing rights around the infamous North Atlantic rock.
He was speaking to journalists in Cork this morning at the international Our Ocean Wealth conference, where he was a keynote speaker.
Mr Coveney said: “There’s no question of sending in the naval ships.”
The dispute with Scotland escalated over the weekend after the Scottish government warned it would “take action” against Irish fishing ships it says are fishing illegally in the waters around Rockall.
This could involve Scotland ordering ships to be boarded and Irish sailors held with their fish catches being confiscated.
Mr Coveney said that he believes diplomacy is the way to solve the current row.
“Our position on Rockall is very clear, fishing boats have been fishing there for many, many years.
“There’s never been an issue in relation to enforcement.
“We regognise that there is a different legal view in the UK, and in particular in Scotland in relation to Rockall than is the case here.
“But the way to resolve these issues is not to try and persuade Ireland to change its policy towards Rockall and its leagl opinion on Rockall by threat of enforcement.
“The way to resolve these issues is through engagement and discussion.
“And that is why there is diplomatic channels open at a very senior level today.”
