Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 1 July 2025

Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs

Review of Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006: Discussion

2:00 am

Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

It is great to see all the witnesses here today. Like Deputy Whitmore, I am new to this and I had to do a good bit of research. I read all the witnesses' documentation and submissions yesterday. There are a few very clear themes coming through. There seems to be a deeply held belief that the oversight and regulation is not proportional. The Seafood Ireland Alliance in its submission states that even minor infringements are subject to criminal proceedings. Even minor infringements are leading to convictions, resulting in fishermen having a criminal record which can create all sorts of financial, travel and social-standing issues. That is a little bit shocking. Can witnesses give me an example, without naming names, of a minor infringement that has led to a criminal conviction?

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