IT'S FISH AND SHIPS

Embassy denies any guarantees. Reps say assurances were given

- CATE McCurry

RUSSIA last night denied giving Irish fishermen guaranс tees that fishing grounds won't be affected by navy exercises.

Just hours earlier fishermen emerged from a meeting with the Russian AmbasI'm ve sador to Ireland happy claiming he had given them assurances.

Speaking after talks with Yury Filatov at the embassy in Dublin,Brendan Byrne, chief executive of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association, said it was t a beneficial meeting.

The Russian artillery drills at the start of February will take place in international waters but within Irish-controlled airspace and the country's exclusive economic zone.

The Department of Transport has also issued a marine notice that the Russian navy is set to carry out manoeuvres off the south-west coast from next Thursday.

Mr Byrne said he was "very surprised" by the wealth of knowledge of the Ambassador about Irish fishing matters.