Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

A common theme ran through many of the contributions on Second Stage of the Bill. Nobody had any real difficulty with the concept that where people break the law, they should be punished. The problem for many Members related to the type of penalties that were laid down, although I will not address that issue now as it will be dealt with during consideration of another amendment.

A number of the amendments put down by Senator McHugh seem to attempt to find ways around the law or ways for fishermen to get away with committing offences. The amendment under discussion is of that type. It appears to try to give an out to fishermen or to allow them to get around the law. I have no problem with fishermen having designated ports to which they should go. To accept the amendment would create a loophole and make it easier for fishermen to get around the law.