Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department on the potential merits of introducing bespoke fishing visas for seasonal scampi fishers in Northern Ireland.

The Government is committed to the long-term prosperity and sustainability of UK fishing, and the Northern Ireland fishing industry is a vital part of this. Earlier this year I visited Kilkeel with Minister Andrew Muir, where I discussed with representatives from the fishing industry a number of issues including the current visa regime. In light of the representations I have received around labour shortages, I have raised this matter with the Home Secretary, and Minister Tapp met with relevant stakeholders on Monday 20 April.