Minister Coveney admits new fishing Penalty Points Statutory Instrument flawed – Plans for Primary Legislation Confirmed, reveals Pringle

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Updated: 23rd March 2016

PRESS RELEASE: March 23^rd, 2016

In response to a Parliamentary Question tabled by Independent TD for Donegal Thomas Pringle, Minister Simon Coveney admitted the new fishing Penalty Point Statutory Instrument he signed on March 1^st this year, is inherently flawed.

“SI No. 125 of 2016 was signed by the Minister for the Marine as part of the Common Fisheries Penalty Point System but which will have very serious repercussions for the Irish Fishing industry and for individual fishermen across the country. Alongside my Parliamentary Question also put forward a Dáil motion calling on the Minister to rescind the S.I.” says Pringle.

Deputy Pringle explains “the Minister gave an extensive reply to my Parliamentary Question in which he indicated he will introduce Primary legislation that in his own words would give a sound legal basis to a scheme that implements the EU points system for licence holders.’

“If the Minister is planning to introduce Primary legislation he’s confirming the fact that the existing new Statutory Instrument is not fit for purpose” continues Pringle.

“In a separate Parliamentary Question I asked the Minister what consultation process was carried out before he signed the new instrument this month and which groups and bodies did he meet with prior to the Statutory Instrument, but he failed to answer the question.”

Pringle states that “if the Minister carried out an effective consultation process in the first place he may have signed off on better legislation which would not negatively impact on fishermen across Ireland.”

“I will be pushing for a full consultative process that’s inclusive of all relevant groups and bodies including fishermen in the lead up to the drafting of Primary legislation. There is no indication as to when this will happen while a Caretaker Government is in place.”

“Minister Coveney must rescind this S.I. immediately to end this scourge and prevent further court action,” concludes Pringle.

ENDS

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