Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In yesterday's edition of the Irish Independent, its environment correspondent, Caroline O'Doherty, wrote about another monumental cock-up in Inland Fisheries Ireland, IFI, which will result in the failure of dozens of prosecutions for fisheries offences throughout the country. This follows on from the discovery of a similar mess-up a few years ago due to a flaw in the 2010 Act that set up IFI which resulted in the abandonment of numerous prosecutions and embarrassment for the protection staff. In the article, Ms O'Doherty wrote:

Prosecutions for fisheries offences are feared to be in doubt because of an error in processing the cases.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has acknowledged a problem arose in recent days with cases taken before the district court.

It is understood that a number of cases were dismissed or had to be withdrawn after it was discovered that the papers were not appropriately signed off on.

In a statement, IFI said: "A concern has arisen in relation to internal authorisations."

[...]

Initially it was believed the issue was confined to one district court area but there are now fears that upcoming prosecutions right across the country could be affected.

Some dismayed fisheries officers whose frontline work had formed the basis of the prosecutions only found out about the problem when solicitors began ringing offices requesting the return of fishing equipment seized as part of the investigations.

As the Acting Leader is aware, fisheries protection officers put themselves in dangerous, difficult and stressful situations in apprehending illegal fishing and going out to get these prosecutions. It is very difficult for them to learn that these prosecutions are flawed and will not be able to go ahead and, that the return of equipment is being sought. This follows on from a long-running number of issues I have had with IFI. Will the Minister, Deputy Ryan, contact the CEO of IFI and say, to quote Laurel and Hardy, "Another fine mess you've gotten us into"? I ask that the Minister come before the House to discuss this matter at the earliest opportunity.