Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The fishing industry has enough on its decks in trying to compete and survive - not to mention the Brexit debacle centring around fishing grounds - without having to deal with what we describe as a flawed statutory instrument that will cause further worry and fear. I have observed developments in this country over many years. We seem to have an obsession with using the stick first rather than the carrot when it comes to EU regulations. We all know how essential this industry is. It gives employment to over 11,000 people, full-time and part-time, and, as Bord Bia has indicated, is responsible for €645 million in seafood exports.

This is the third attempt to introduce penalties, with a huge mount of time already spent in the courts. In my view and in that of many others in Fianna Fáil, that time could have been spent providing funding and finding common ground. Deputy Gallagher has flagged this issue, and not just in recent times. He has raised it at meetings of our parliamentary party and in fishing communities. I commend him on his diligence in that regard.

It is important that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not blame us for stalling. If this discussion had taken place with the interested parties - I encourage him to find time to have that discussion with them - the issue could have been resolved quite quickly. Whether it is the fishing communities in Clogherhead, Annagassan, Greenore or Carlingford in County Louth, or those in Killybegs, Castletownbere and elsewhere on the island, SI 89 of 2018 is going to have an impact on them.

I reiterate that Fianna Fáil is supportive of the introduction of a penalty system for serious and flagrant infringements of the regulation. As previous speakers indicated, however, rules are about fairness and proportionality coupled with rights and entitlements. They should be at the core of the penalty system. We have a problem with the wording relating to the appeals process and, as Deputy Gallagher stated, we are seeking a workable solution. All we request is that the statutory instrument be withdrawn and an amended version be brought forward to ensure that proper transparency and fairness will be there for all concerned. As matters stand, the statutory instrument undermines the rights of fishermen and vessel owners in all of our coastal communities. It is incumbent on us to ensure that the issues which are causing the difficulties to which previous speakers referred be addressed. I urge the Minister to take this opportunity to go back into discussions. I am of the view that the matter can be resolved quite quickly.

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