Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)

I removed the power to forfeit a boat on which repeat offences occur, which had been in our legislation for some time. I listened carefully to the arguments put forward by all sides in the House to make some distinction in the level of fines levied and introduced graduated fines, based on the size of the vessels. There was a concern with the original Bill that the regulatory agency was not independent enough. For that reason I went a step further and accepted that argument. A regulatory agency will be established which will be independent of the Department and which will be charged with the enforcement of sea-fisheries law. This job will be done without fear or favour.

I will deal with the question of administrative fines later. This issue was dealt with in detail on Committee Stage. I indicated that I was prepared to sit down with the industry, to discuss the future of the industry with the fishing organisations and any other interested party such as the environmental NGOs and local communities around the coastal areas. Deputy O'Donovan has asked me to reiterate that I will sit down with them.

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