Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

I welcome my good friend and colleague from the south east, Deputy John Browne, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, to the Seanad as well as the introduction of this Bill which is timely. I look forward to a constructive debate on the measures proposed.

This Bill is intended to give statutory effect to the implementation of the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea relating to conservation and management matters. Most of my contribution will be in relation to conservation measures, particularly in the light of recent proposals to eliminate the 50 mile box, which is so important to Irish fisheries.

The new appeal procedures in relation to the issuing of sea fishing boat licences are an area in which I have some experience and expertise having been a witness in a High Court case concerning the issuing of such a licence. At best, the Department's handling of the issuing of licences in the past has been haphazard with no consistency visible in what they it previously. I particularly welcome section 3 and subsequent sections which provide for the appointment of an independent appeals officer to review decisions made by the Department. Unfortunately, this will arrive too late for some.