Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

The existing process allows for appeals. If one is refused a licence, one can appeal to the fishery officer, then at district level and finally a higher level. There are, therefore, three levels at which one can appeal. If one has been sick and submits a genuine written account stating one could not possibly have fished in the preceding years, this is taken into account. The system is fair. We will take on board all the views expressed by the Deputy when we are reviewing the legislation this year.

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