Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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730. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the implementation of a revised Statutory Instrument 125 of 2016 which he has committed to introducing in a manner which will ensure that no penalty points will be applied to an owner's licence unless the matter has been decided upon in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24028/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that Statutory Instrument No. 125 of 2016 - European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 - implements the required EU points system, which applies to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected within the Exclusive Fishery Limits of the State or for an Irish vessel, wherever it may be.

On taking office, I quickly requested and received advice from the Attorney General on meeting the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government pertaining to the assignment of points following the completion of the prosecution process, while ensuring that Ireland is fully in compliance with its obligations under EU law.

As I have advised the House previously, moving on the introduction of a system for the sequential application for EU points in conjunction with the prosecution process is subject to addressing some important legal and administrative issues in order to ensure compliance with EU law. I intend to report back to the Oireachtas as soon as a way forward has been finalised in the context of dealing with the relevant legal and administrative matters.