Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

There is secondary legislation listed in today's Order Paper in the non-statutory section — the Sea Fisheries (Conservation and Rational Exploitation of Scallops) Regulations 2005, SI 245 of 2005. This statutory instrument will have a devastating effect on the fishermen who fish for scallops from Kilmore Quay, some of whom are facing penury as a result. The legislation is ordered in the non-statutory section of the Order Paper. In the letter received by the individual fishermen, it was referred to as statutory regulation. I presume a statutory instrument is statutory legislation, so why is it listed in the non-statutory section of today's Order Paper? Will there be an opportunity to debate this statutory instrument? It has been laid before the House today, although it took effect yesterday. Will we have the opportunity to debate the catastrophic effect of this statutory instrument on the livelihood of scallop fishermen in Kilmore Quay?

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