Common sense prevails
- Irish Government to review stance on Administrative Sanctions

In one of his final acts as Taoiseach, Berti Ahern TD announced stated that the punitive measures introduced against fishermen in the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act are being placed under review. Mr. Ahern was replying to a question from Sinn Féin leader
Caoimhghin O Caolain in the Dáil and responsed to the Cavan Monaghan TD’s reference to widespread unease within the fishing community over the measures, by saying that while the legislation remained in effect, that “there is currently taking place an internal examination by the Minister of the administrative sanctions.”

Commenting on the Taoiseach's statement on reform of the Sea Fisheries Act and administrative sanctions, Lorcán Ó Cinnéide of IFPO said:"We have been pushing very hard through FIF with the Ministers to get reform of the 2006 Act which we had opposed at every step of the way and I am glad that we are making some progress. However, it is vital for us to be directly involved and not just external consultees. FIF has already made a comprehensive submission to the Ministers and the Department and we are awaiting agreed terms of reference without which it will be very difficult to progress. We cannot have fishermen criminalised or called traitors as they have been and we share the resentment of fishermen at being so characterised. But we want action here, not window dressing," he said.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Fishing, Martin Ferris TD welcomed an announcement by An Taoiseach. “I hope that any review will lead to the lifting of the measures contained in the Act which amount to the criminalisation of Irish fishermen. It is unfortunate however, that it has taken the Department almost two years to come to consider administrative sanctions as was proposed unanimously by the Dáil Committee in 2006. Had the Government taken into consideration that proposal, amendments tabled by myself and others and the broad criticism and recommendations of the committee and the fishing organisations at that time then we would not have the problems which now exist,” he concluded.