Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Thug mé faoi deara sa liosta den reachtaíocht atá le plé, faighte an tseachtain seo caite, go bhfuil an Bille iascaireachta curtha siar. Is ábhar imní dom é sin agus ba mhaith liom aird a tharraingt ar sin. I draw attention to the fact that on the legislative agenda received last week the fisheries Bill has once again been deferred. I have raised the issue on a number of occasions, particularly the decriminalisation of penalties that fishing captains receive if found to be remiss in filling out their log books etc. This was a huge campaign issue for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Simon Coveney, prior to the election, and he promised to address the anomaly of criminalising fishermen which was introduced by the previous Administration. It is a complicated and stressful issue for those involved because the sanctions for a criminal prosecution for inserting incorrect dates on log books are massive. A number of cases have been struck out by judges who consider the Government is remiss in dealing with the issue.

As it is a matter of utmost importance and a serious issue for fishing families who are in a difficult situation and it is a difficult industry in which to be involved, it is pertinent to discuss the issue with the Minister as soon as possible. It is a huge industry and one that has been under pressure. I appreciate the Minister has done much good work on quotas but it is a case of a lot done and more to do. We should have a debate on the issue and the Bill should be brought forward as soon as possible. Beidh mé ag súil go dtiocfaidh an tAire i bhfeighil iascaireachta isteach leis an ábhar an-tábhachtach seo a phlé chomh luath agus is féidir.