Renewed efforts will be made by Fine Gael in the Dáil this week to decriminalise some sea fisheries offences.
Under a new Sea Fisheries Act introduced by then minister for the marine Noel Dempsey in 2005, fishermen faced criminal sanctions for the first time for breaches of quota and for other environmental offences.
The law was passed in the face of concerted opposition, including strong reservations expressed by a sizeable group of of Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators. When the legislation was put to the vote in the Oireachtas, however, the Government TDs supported the measures.
Fine Gael TD for Cork South West Jim O’Keeffe will this week table a Private Members’ Bill in the Dáil which will look to administrative, rather than criminal, sanctions for some offences.
