Senator Brian O’Domhnaill carrying out consultation with fishermen over ‘draconian’ legislation
FIANNA Fáil is carrying out a wide ranging public consultation with the fishing industry in over the next three days.
The consultation is bein carried out by Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine Brian Ó Domhnaill.
Said Donegal Senator Ó Domhnaill: “The consultation will continue with meetings being held with the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, Fishing Representative Organisations and Fishermen to discuss the proposed Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction (Fixed Penalty Notice) Bill 2013 and to discuss other fisheries related issues”
The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill proposes:
1. Stiff criminal sanctions for foreign sea fishing vessels which enter Irish exclusive fishing limits.
2. Administrative penalties for first and second fishery offences by way of a prescribed notice which also reduces the upper limit fine to €400 for the 1st and €800 for the 2nd offence.
3. The option for a person in receipt of a penalty notice to appeal same to the Minister within a certain period.
4. The establishment of an Independent Appeal Committee to be established by the Minister.
5. A Consultative / Advisory Role in relation to administering such offences for the following organisations;
a. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI)
b. The Marine Institute
c. Inshore Fishermen’s Organisation
d. Bord Iascaigh Mhara
e. Sea Fisheries Protection Authority
f. Killybeg’s Fishermen Organisation
g. Irish South & West Fishermen’s Organisation
Senator Ó Domhnaill concluded: “The fishing industry employs 12,000 people in this country and is worth €700 million to the economy.
The industry must be fully supported in every way. This Bill forms a step in supporting the Irish fishing industry through common-sense changes to existing draconian legislation.”
“The first meeting will take place tonight (Thursday) in Kinsale, County Cork in a series ofpublic meetings on this topic is being held in the South over the weekend.
“These meetings are aimed at giving fisherman and coastal communities an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Bill.