Fishermen could be forced to ermbark on a complicated and expensive legal challenge to a revised penalty points system after Minister Simon Coveney signed a revised Statutory Instrument at the beginning of the month.
The document he signed on March 1st replaced a previous version which was deemed unconstitutional by the High Court, but the differences between the two have been described as cosmetic.
The system allows for penalty points to be imposed on fishing licences even if the holder is not convicted when a case comes to court.
Deputy Pringle says the fact that the minister is now talking about introducing primary legislation to give the rules a sound legal basis means the current statutiory instrument is flawed, and should be set aside……….
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