Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is true generally.

Notwithstanding the matter of administrative penalties, the Bill reflects the considered view of the Government that it is critically important to have in place fines and forfeitures that are genuinely dissuasive. Section 28 sets maximum fines that may be applied for any particular offence and must take account of the scale of the offence and whether or not it is a repeat. This also is a matter for the courts. As I stated, the court will determine the actual level of fine to be applied. It is important that Ireland sends out a clear message that illegal sea fishing is serious and will be dealt with accordingly. That of course is true for all countries and that should apply throughout all member states.

Appendix 3 to the explanatory and financial memorandum published with the Bill shows the current and proposed maximum fines for sea fisheries offences. In lieu of the single fine, up to a maximum of £100,000 —€126,974 — currently payable on conviction on indictment for an offence under section 224B of the 1959 Act, which is now section 14 of the Bill, section 28 of the Bill provides for a range of maximum fines tailored to the gravity of each offence: €200,000 for the most serious contraventions involving vessel capacity——

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