Negotiations between the Government and the European Commission on fish stocks off the Irish coast have been described as "very difficult" by the Minister for Communications, Mr Dermot Ahern.
Mr Ahern was in Athens for the separate discussion with EU Fisheries Commissioner Mr Franz Fischler, and the Greek president of the Fisheries Council, Mr George Drys.
The talks discussed the level of protection of fish stocks in the "Irish Box", 50 miles off Ireland's coast.
The meetings are part of ongoing attempts to resolve the issue following the decision on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy last year. A legal opinion prepared for the EU Council questions the right to restrict access to fishery areas beyond 12 mile limits.
In his meeting with Mr Drys, the Mr Ahern said he stressed Ireland's "serious" concerns, at proposals "which might allow unlimited access by Spanish vessels to areas where there is already a very delicate balance between available fish stocks and fishing effort".
Mr Ahern added he had "insisted on a substantive debate" over the issue at the EU fisheries Council at the end of May.
The Irish fishing industry will be meeting the Minister next week to be briefed on the developments as well as other key issues of concern.