Fishing penalty points for boat owners due to commence by Christmas

 

Fishing penalty points for boat owners are due to commence by Christmas.
Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle has questioned Minister Michael Creed on the new regime due to be introduced.
He says there are a number of issues with the new system.
Changes due to come into effect at the end of the year will mean the penalty points system will apply only to boat holders, not skippers or crew however, Donegal Deputy Thomas Pringle says the implcation of boat holders losing their licence means skippers and crews will lose work.
The Minister for Agriculture has also confirmed that drafting of primary legislation introducing a serperate penalty points system for skippers is at an advanced stage, however Dpeuty Pringle says this is cause for concern for many fishermen in Killybegs as it has yet to be determined what impilcations this will have.
Dpeuty Pringle has also voiced his concerns over the nominees to the Points Determination Panel, he does not believe this instills confidence that the new system will be fair and impartial.