Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on whether there is a realistic opportunity to discuss the issue of administrative sanctions for minor sea fishery offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25600/08]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if progress has been made in assessing the issues in relation to administrative sanctions for minor sea fishery offences. [25599/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together.

Since 1959 Ireland has applied its criminal law in relation to fisheries matters and, since our membership of the European Community, Ireland has applied the criminal law in the enforcement of fisheries policy. Successive Governments have applied the criminal law. We do this to protect fish stocks and to seek to avoid financial penalties being imposed on the State and the Irish taxpayer.

The possibility of introducing administrative sanctions was comprehensively considered, including an examination of practices in other Member States, at the time of the passage of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill through the Oireachtas. The position taken by the Minister at the time was based on the legal advice from the Attorney General.

In response to recent representations on this matter from the Federation of Irish Fishermen I have asked the Attorney General to examine this issue and consider if there have been any new developments which might support the introduction of a regime of administrative sanctions for fisheries offences in Ireland, at least for minor offences.