asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will appoint a State prosecutor for all sea fisheries cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sea Fisheries Cases.
36.
The Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1978, provides that in general the prosecutors in sea fisheries cases are the Minister in the case of summary offences and the Attorney General in the case of indictable offences. In practice all cases are prosecuted by State solicitors acting on the instructions of the Minister or the Attorney General, as appropriate. I am not satisfied that the appointment of a State prosecutor as suggested would be an improvement on the existing arrangement.
Can the Minister of State tell me how many foreign boats in the last year have not been prosecuted? Is he aware that, no matter how good the prosecutors might be in each individual case, this is a specialised field? Could the Minister not state that, if this is not being dealt with by a State prosecutor, a specialised solicitor would be provided to deal with those cases because it is a very serious matter to the Irish fishermen?
I am satisfied that our system has worked well and convictions have been brought against foreign trawlers and fines imposed.
Is the Minister aware that in the last year at least eight Dutch boats have not been prosecuted because we have not proper legal advice?
I do not accept that it is because we have not proper legal advice. I understand there are still some cases outstanding and some of those people may be prosecuted.
How many boats have got off in the last year?
I have not got that information.
It is a disgrace for the Minister of State to stand up here and say he has not got information. The Minister for Fisheries and Forestry has failed to come in here on several occasions. Is he avoiding answering those questions on behalf of the Irish fishermen? We cannot expect the Minister of State in charge of Social Welfare affairs to answer for the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry.
The Minister is in Brussels.