Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

This new approach will make use of modern technologies such as electronic log books and vessel tracking. It will introduce systematic and automated cross-checking of data collected at the catch, landing and sale stages, to make it easier to spot attempts to break the rules. Under the provisions of the new control regulation, the list of serious infringements are set down. These serious infringements include the misreporting or non-reporting of catch which cannot, therefore, be considered a minor offence.

The new control regulation introduces for the first time a penalty points system in Article 84. However, that system is completely different from what is proposed in the Fine Gael Bill. The system provided in the control regulation is a system for allocating penalty points on conviction with the consequences of automatic suspension of the fishing boat licence when a certain threshold of penalty points is reached with a certain timeframe. The penalty points introduced in the new EU law are in addition to the financial or other penalty imposed by the member state.

I am legally advised that the existing approach to the regulation of the fishing industry, together with the new EU control regulation being implemented, is the most appropriate method of regulation of the fishing industry within our legal framework. This approach is consistent with legal advice and fulfils Ireland's responsibilities under the Common Fisheries Policy. I see no merit in the passing of this Bill now presented which I believe would lead to a number of negative outcomes for our own fishing industry.

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