James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my party colleague and spokesperson on the marine and fisheries, Deputy Gallagher, for bringing forward this important motion. The reason for the motion is that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has laid before the House a statutory instrument known as the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2018. This statutory instrument allows penalty points to be applied to fishing vessel owners who ostensibly carry out illegal and unregulated fishing. My party is not opposed to the introduction of a penalty points system for serious infringements of the EU Common Fisheries Policy. However, any sanctions to discourage this activity need to have fairness, justice and equality for fisherman across the country at the core of such a system. However, sadly, it would appear that the Government's statutory instrument, as introduced in March 2018, does not display these qualities. Previous attempts by statutory instrument to resolve this issue have been found to be unconstitutional and this statutory instrument and the appeals process involved once again appear to be problematic. There are very real concerns that there has not been appropriate and fair consultation with those directly affected. As I said, this is now apparently the third time to resolve this issue. Two previous attempts were struck down and there have been comments about money being spent. However, the State must have incurred significant costs in the courts system in respect of these statutory instruments. As I said, I very much welcome Deputy Gallagher's bringing forward of this motion because it is crucial. In the recent Storm Ophelia, fishermen in Wexford faced significant damage and suffered significantly. Fishermen are struggling across the country but in particular after the damage that was caused by that storm. While we see compensation and support for farmers regularly, and that is welcome, I am at a loss to understand why fishermen cannot be supported in a similar manner. The programme for Government sets out very clearly that the blue economy is a key industry. However, we are not seeing, in my view, the necessary supports put in place to support the blue economy and the fishermen, in particular small fishermen who are very much struggling and will continue to struggle for some time because of this issue.

I return to the statutory instrument at hand. Significant concerns are being raised in this House about this statutory instrument, in particular its fairness and a resolution of this issue must be found. Fishermen who are fishing illegally, who are not reporting their catches, need to be dealt with and taken in hand. However, this needs to be done in a fair, workable and balanced manner in order that ordinary decent fishermen are not caught up in it.

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