Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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1127. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent Supreme Court decision (details supplied) in which the procedure to impose points on a fishing licence was deemed contrary to fair procedures; if he will withdraw the new statutory instrument he plans to publish regarding fishing points in order to reflect on this court decision; and his plans to consult with fishing representative bodies to decide on the best course forward. [2659/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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1148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recent Supreme Court ruling (details supplied) in which the procedure to impose points on a fishing licence was deemed unfair; if the new statutory instrument he plans to publish regarding fishing points will be withdrawn in order to reflect this decision; and if fishing representative bodies will be consulted to decide on the best course forward. [54702/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1127 and 1148 together.

The Supreme Court judgments were delivered on 12th December 2017 in relation to the 2014 SI implementing a points system for licence holders. My Department is currently examining the implications of the judgments on an urgent basis.

I expect this process to be completed shortly and thereafter I intend to sign a new Statutory instrument to revoke the European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2016 (S.I. No. 125 of 2016), which establishes a point system, which will apply to the Licence Holder of a sea-fishing boat when a serious infringement of the Common Fisheries Policy is detected.

In relation to stakeholder consultation, I discussed with industry representatives my plans to bring forward a new SI at the Sea Fisheries Liaison Group meeting on 20 October 2017 and explained some key amendments I am planning and the justification for these amendments.