John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

On the fines in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill, can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government proposes the introduction of administrative fines, which would decriminalise fishermen? Some €250,000 was spent on the Farrell Grant Sparks report on the development of inland fisheries, which produced a visionary plan for a starved industry. We all know the furore over the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill. This is a big issue which would decriminalise fishermen through the introduction of administrative fines. Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Government has agreed to introduce this?

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