Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Collins. I understand it was a requirement under European law that we bring in a penalty points-type system for the enforcement of fishery protection law, so it had to come in sooner or later. I understand that the Taoiseach, in his capacity as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for a brief period of time, signed those regulations into law. The procedure, as the Deputy knows, is that any statutory instrument can be revoked by this House but it would be up to the Opposition, if it wishes, to insist on a debate and a vote on it. I think it would have about 21 days to do that. My understanding, however, is that this is a long-standing European obligation to bring in this system as an alternative to court prosecution. It is all about protecting our environment and our fisheries to ensure that we have fisheries and fishermen into the future.

See this speech in context