“IS&WFO welcome cross party support for changes to Sea Fisheries Bill”

Jason Whooley, Manager of the Irish South and West Fishermens Organisation attended a Dail Eireann debate today on the proposed Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Bill 2005 and he welcomed the fact that there was genuine cross party opposition to the Bill going through as drafted.

"Representatives of all the main Political Parties, including the Government Parties, were in favour of changes being made to the Bill. This is a vindication of the stance we have been taking which is that the Bill, as drafted, would only serve to further criminalise and discriminate against Irish fishermen while the majority of their European counterparts operate under a completely different system. The key point that we have been making on this issue for the last few years is that the punishment should fit the offence. Thankfully, members of the Dail supported our call for a system of administrative sanctions to replace criminal proceedings.

We will be returning to the Dail next Thursday when there will be a more detailed debate on the Bill."

17th November 2005