Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague, Deputy Mac Lochlainn, for tabling this important motion.

The commercial fishing industry provides an essential source of income for many people in communities along the coast of Mayo and elsewhere across the island. We have always asked that rules that are introduced be proportional and reflect the realities on the ground, but EU regulations are too often designed with member states with far larger and more industrialised fishing industries in mind. The blame in this case lies closer to home, though, with successive Governments mishandling the introduction of a system that works and is fair. This is despite the best efforts of fishermen throughout the country to engage constructively with the process.

The statutory instrument that Sinn Féin is trying to annul was designed by Fine Gael and opposed by Fianna Fáil in opposition and is now supported by Fianna Fáil in government. As such, it is no surprise that the electorate is turning away from Fianna Fáil, given that it changes its position so easily that it is impossible to know what one is voting for.

There are a number of serious issues with this statutory instrument, the most glaring being the fact that fishermen will not have the right to appeal to the High Court after a situation is dealt with by the determination panel and the appeals officer. This issue has been going on for so long that it has given enough time for a detailed review to be conducted by the EU in terms of modernising and simplifying the existing system. The EU has accepted that there are insufficient data to enforce the system accurately. The European Court of Auditors and a resolution by the European Parliament have all shown that the fisheries control system "has deficiencies and is overall not fit for purpose."

Despite the EU's recognition of the systemic weaknesses in the approach, the Government believes it is appropriate to design the system in such as way as to remove any legal recourse for fishermen, even when their livelihoods are taken away.

See this speech in context