As conflict looms in Europe, Irish fisherman plan to disrupt Russian military exercises.

The Russian Navy is planned to conduct military manoeuvres off the coast of Cork next month, and Irish fishermen are intending to peacefully disrupt the exercise.

Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland the area was highly important for fishermen and that they wanted to safeguard biodiversity and marine life.

He estimates that there are half a billion tonnes of blue whiting in the area, which migrate up the coast.

Mr Murphy went on to say that his people believe this is a very important matter, referring to Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, who had been on the radio earlier discussing the necessity of gasoline.

"We're in the same boat. This isn't about €100 per person; it's about the livelihoods of fishermen and their families along the shore.

"We've already had 25% of what we're authorised to catch taken away from us as part of the Brexit negotiations, and the solution is to wipe out one-third of the fleet again?" This government intends to decommission another 60 vessels.

This is our land, our farm, and the place where we make a living.

"We have the right to fish here since these are our waterways." Can you image how far the Russians would get if they applied to travel into the Irish mainland to fire rockets? Fishermen are in a similar situation: this is our land, our farm, and where we make our living.

"Why should someone be able to come into our waterways and do that?" This will have an impact on our livelihoods as well as marine life. Seismic activity has been present for years, and it has even influenced tuna migration patterns.

"This is an essential spawning place for fish, and we have no idea what's going on out here."

"We should be allowed to fish there, and if we're fishing there, these battleships, these boats, shouldn't be having war drills."

Mr Murphy mentioned that the ships would almost certainly be followed by submarines and wondered what would happen if the fishing gear and nets became entangled with one. Submarines had previously sunk fishing boats, thus this was a serious concern.

"We in our industry, like everyone else, believe that nothing is being done here, and we want to take action." We're not going to confront boats, and we're not going to take them on in that manner, but we're making a point, and we want our government to help us.

"Believe me when I say that getting rid of us is not the cure."

'War is on the horizon.'

Minister of State for European Affairs Thomas Byrne has warned that war is imminent in Europe because of the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, as fishermen prepare to disrupt Russian military exercises.

 "I believe we are at a period of immense peril in Europe, and I'm not sure we are fully aware of the gravity of the situation, which is that war is looming in Europe, and I believe it is extremely, extremely concerning."

"I believe we're in a dangerous scenario." At this point, diplomatic efforts have been on for weeks and months to attempt to avoid this.

He told RTÉ radio's Today with Claire Byrne show, "We welcome any measures to attempt to halt this - this could be very disastrous if it happens."

Mr Byrne urged Irish citizens living in Ukraine to register with the Irish embassy in Kiev, which opened last year.

"We have a lot of Irish citizens there," Mr Byrne explained. "What we're asking is that Irish citizens register with the embassy."

"In circumstances like this, we've found that whatever number of Irish individuals we have registered, there are multiples more who aren't."

"I believe it is critical that they do so in the event of a flare-up of hostilities, and we are recommending people not to travel to Ukraine for any non-essential business or travel at this time."

'Extremely concerned'

Senior officials in Brussels, according to Mr. Byrne, are "very anxious, incredibly disturbed" about the situation.

"As a European Union, we are expressing our complete sympathy with Ukraine - they have a right to the integrity of their sovereign territory, and they have a right to determine their own fate as a country."

"We must support democracy in that country, as well as their sovereign rights."

Mr Byrne noted that, unlike the United States, European countries were not evacuating people from diplomatic missions in Ukraine.

"It's critical that we continue to assess the security situation in Ukraine; we do so on a regular basis, and the protection of the people there is certainly paramount."

"However, it is equally critical that we demonstrate complete solidarity with Ukraine rather than simply walking away." I believe we've done so on a regular basis."

When asked about Russian intentions for naval trials off Ireland's south-west coast, Mr Byrne reiterated Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney's remarks to the Russian Ambassador: "Russia are not welcome here, and what they are doing is very, very frightening."

"The problem we have is that they have the legal right to do this in our exclusive economic zone under international law, and once they notify the Irish Aviation Authority, they are in conformity with international law."