Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I was listening to some of the debate in my office and I agree with a lot of what has been said. I agree with my colleague, Senator Mac Lochlainn, from Donegal on his concerns about the Bill. I remember tabling an amendment to sea-fisheries legislation in the last Seanad concerning the penalty points system and bringing in a new regime for a carding system. In that way, deciphering could be done between Irish and foreign vessels. The former Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, indicated favourably that he would examine the possibility of introducing such legislation. I thought this Bill would address some of the concerns but unfortunately it has not. In fact, it raises concerns rather than addressing them.

Fishermen in Donegal and elsewhere have contacted me about this Bill to express their concerns. They went out on a limb to protect their own interests by taking a case to the Supreme Court. A ruling was given, which prompted this Bill.The origin of the Bill is clearly the need to address this outstanding issue.

Irish territorial waters were defined in an agreement reached in London in 1964 and in the Common Fisheries Policy of 1973 when distances of six and 12 nautical miles were set. This Bill relates to Irish coastal waters within six nautical miles of the coast. It will have a particular impact on County Donegal because British vessels may, for beneficial purposes, register in the North and utilise or exploit a resource, which, under our Constitution, should be available to Irish vessels only. I echo some of the questions that have been asked on this issue.

Brexit is a complicating factor which was also raised by previous speakers. Analysis carried out by the British Government in the aftermath of the referendum on Brexit found that the vast majority of fishermen in small fishing communities in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. When asked to explain their reasons for doing so, they cited a desire to regain ownership of British waters. This issue is a complicating factor for us, as it will affect fishermen in Killybegs and other ports. I am not sure if the complexity of Brexit has been brought to bear in the Bill but I have expressed the concerns people have on this matter.

I support the amendment that will be proposed on Committee Stage. A distinction must always be made between vessels of less than 15 m. in length and larger vessels because 80% of the Irish fleet are below 15 m. in length. These vessels should be recognised and protected through special provisions.

I share the view of previous speakers that the Bill is premature. What level of consultation took place with the fishing industry, including small fishermen? Will the Bill have economic implications for the small inshore fleet? Has a regulatory impact assessment been carried out and, if not, why not? What will be the economic impact on the small inshore fleet of implementing this legislation?