Dempsey dismisses conciliation on fisheries bill

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey has said that the system of administrative penalties against fishermen who are found guilty of breaching European Union fishery protection laws will only be introduced if the EU makes one mandatory.

The Minister rejected another effort by Fianna Fail backbenchers, led by Cork south west TD Denis O'Donovan, for a concession on the controversial Sea Fisheries Bill. Five Fianna Fail TDs and two senators, including Mr O'Donovan, met Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Tuesday, February 14th, to outline their concern on the legislation.
On Wednesday Mr O'Donovan and some opposition deputies supported a change drafted by the fishing organisations. This would create a list of penalties for minor offences applied without going to the courts.

Mr Dempsey has been asked to publish an offences list by January 2007 to be covered by fixed penalties.
The committee stage of the bill was discussed on Wednesday, February 15th. The Minister stated that the new legislation would ensure that minor infringements could be dealt with in the District Court instead of in the Circuit Court.

Green Party TD Eamon Ryan, who has supported Mr Dempsey's position in imposing strong sanctions, said that the Marine Institute and the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) did not believe fish landing figures.