IRELAND IS "out of step" with other maritime jurisdictions in Europe due to exclusive reliance on criminal sanctions for fisheries offences, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said.
A new private members' Bill published by Fine Gael aims to "correct this anomaly" and "redress the imbalance" in dealing with breaches of sea fisheries legislation, Mr Kenny said in Castletownbere, Co Cork yesterday.
He has urged the Government to support the legislation, which was drafted by Fine Gael Cork South West TD Jim O'Keeffe. The initiative has been warmly welcomed by the Federation of Irish Fishermen, umbrella group for four main fishing organisations.
Mayor of Cork Noel Harrington (FG) said it is "long overdue" as "fishermen are in so fear of the law that they currently need barristers in the wheelhouse every time they go to sea".
The Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act of 2006 caused widespread protests in ports when it was first mooted in 2005, due to its emphasis on criminal sanctions for even minor fishery offences.
The legislation was passed at a time when the European Commission said it preferred that administrative sanctions be imposed for less serious breaches of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Speaking in Castletonwbere yesterday, Mr Kenny said that his party recognised that serious quota breaches and environmental offences "should attract the full rigour of fisheries enforcement", but the legislative imbalance must be dealt with. Mr O'Keefe said that the Bill would "provide a mechanism for keeping minor or technical infractions out of the courts".