Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

The Bill is urgently needed to address the shortcomings in the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1959 highlighted by the Supreme Court judgments in the Brown and Kennedy cases. It is also intended to bring the legal framework for fisheries into the 21st century, particularly following the review of the Common Fisheries Policy 2002.

In response to concerns raised by many Deputies including members of my party, and by some in the Opposition on Second Stage, I brought forward amendments. I tabled a substantial package of amendments in mid-January. For example, we removed the power to fire into boats.

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