It would appear that discussions are becoming tense between Scotland and Ireland. The 2 countries are currently discussing the thorny issue of Rockall Island, 400km off the coast of County Donegal. Both countries claim ownership of the island, which is only 25 meters wide and resembles a large, uninhabited rocky islet.
So why fight for an island that’s so undevelopable? Simply because Rockall Island is an extremely lucrative fishing spot, and would also be considered an oil and gas rich spot.
An island that attracts all kinds of covetousness, and generates real tensions between the Irish and the Scots.
Scottish Fisheries Minister Fergus Ewing had previously stated that his government’s fisheries patrols would “invite” Irish fishing boats to “cease” fishing on Rockall Island, considering their activities to be “illegal” fishing.
Rockall Island was claimed by the UK in 1955 and officially recognized as part of Scotland in 1972.
However, Ireland does not recognize this claim.
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Michael Creed, said that refusing to recognize Rockall as Scottish property gave Irish fishermen legal authorization to fish in the area under European Union law.
For the time being, the issue remains controversial and negotiations seem to be at a standstill… to the detriment of Irish-Scottish relations…
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