Seanad debates
Thursday, 21 November 2002
Fisheries (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
This is the background to the legislation. I specifically welcome the establishment of the independent statutory appeals process. In a conversation about the legislation earlier this week with one of the fishing organisations I was told that it mirrors the agricultural appeals process. I am very familiar with that legislation because it was initiated and passed through this House. It had a very good airing and we made some valuable amendments. I hope the same broad-minded attitude will be taken to this appeals process as was taken by the Minister for Agriculture and Food to the agricultural appeals process. It should be independent as far as possible and have the confidence of the sector. It should seen by someone with a grievance as somewhere to go for an objective and independent hearing. They should be able to have full confidence in the outcome of the hearing, whether or not it goes their way.
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