Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I am concerned about how we arrived at this situation. The explanation provided by the Minister of State and the Department as to how this problem arose in the first instance does not go far enough. I had hoped to be able to table an amendment to the Bill, seeking a report on it, but I was caught unawares by the timing of Committee Stage and missed the deadline. I will table an amendment on Report Stage requesting that a report on how the problem arose should be laid before both Houses.

I understand that the jurisdiction of Inland Fisheries Ireland to bring and prosecute summary proceedings before the District Court was raised with the Attorney General in 2015. It took almost two years for the opinion to reach the Department and for this Bill to be brought forward. It is important that a full explanation of this issue should be provided to the Oireachtas.