New regulations fail to give fishermen right to appeal -Cope

Fianna Fáil is set to table a special Dail motion seeking to rescind the recently published Statutory Instrument which introduces a penalty point system for fishing infringements.
The measure was moved late last year by Minister Michael Creed, after two previous attempts were blocked by the Supreme Court.
Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher believes the latest version is also flawed.
Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher, the Fianna Fail Marine Spokesperson says while the party is supportive of a penalty points system, that is only provided that the rights of the individual are respected and natural justice is allowed to occur.
He says the statutory Instrument placed before the Dáil by Minister Creed seriously undermines the rights of individual fishermen and vessel owners throughout the country, and bypasses both the Circuit and District Courts by establishing a new structure which is answerable to no one other than the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
He says despite previous Supreme Court directions, the government has failed to provide for the right of appeal to the individual, and places the onus on the individual to prove his or her innocence.
Deputy Gallagher says these and other issues suggest this latest document repeats the errors of its predecessors.
He now wants to take what he called the unprecedented move to place a motion before the Dáil to rescind the Statutory Instrument on the grounds that the legislation is flawed.