Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I make a strong plea to the new Minister on this issue. He will possibly recall the rather bruising debate we had a couple of years ago on the Sea-fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill. There are two aspects of this issue that I ask the Minister to bear in mind. The fishing community genuinely feels its members are being tagged as criminals for committing very minor offences. In addition, major costs were imposed on them due to the locking up of their boats in port while they attended court, as well as other costs and expenses. Does the Minister accept the opinion of the EU Commissioners, who recorded a view that administrative sanctions can be an effective way of increasing compliance?

Over the past 12 months there have been regular meetings on this issue among the UK Administrations in Whitehall, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Earlier this year, the Scottish authorities introduced a new regime, under the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 (Fixed Penalty Notices) Order 2008, which allows for administrative sanctions. Leaving aside the bruising battles of the past, would the Minister accept there is a way around the Attorney General's concerns on the basis of consent? Will the Minister keep an open mind and talk to the fishing community and interested parties with a view to finding a decent solution to this problem?

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