Ba mhaith liom i dtosach tréaslú leat féin as ucht do cheapacháin, agus tréaslú leis na comhaltaí gur éirigh leo an Teach seo a bhaint amach, agus gur fada buan iad.
I am sorry that my first appearance in this House as a Minister is to promote a Bill the object of which is to provide for increased penalties for offences under the Foyle Fisheries Acts, 1952 to 1976. The Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952, established the Foyle Fisheries Commission which is a joint North/South body with statutory responsibility for conservation, protection and development of the fisheries in the Foyle area. That Act also defines the Foyle area and lays down the fishery law for the area and the penalties for breaches thereof. The Foyle area comprises the entire catchment area of the River Foyle which flows partly in County Donegal and partly in Counties Derry and Tyrone. The Foyle Fisheries (Amendment) Acts of 1961 and 1976 amended and extended the provisions of the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952. Legislation similar in terms to the Foyle Fisheries Acts was enacted by the Northern Ireland authorities.
Most of the penalties for offences under the Foyle Fisheries Acts, 1952 and 1961, have not been changed since 1952. The changed money values in the meantime and the growing level of illegal fishing in the Foyle area, including incidents of violence involving members of the Foyle Fisheries Commission's protection staff, clearly indicate that the existing penalties are not an adequate deterrent. Furthermore, the Fisheries Act, 1980, provides for substantial increases in fines for the same offences throughout the rest of the State.
The Bill provides for substantial increases in penalties for fishery offences in the Moville area which is the part of the Foyle area located in County Donegal. Maximum penalties of up to £600 or imprisonment for any term not exceeding six months or both such fine and such imprisonment are prescribed on summary conviction. For the more serious offences provision is made for trial on indictment and the maximum penalty on conviction for such offences is £2,000 or imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years or both such fine and such imprisonment. In general the penalties prescribed in the Bill are in line with the penalties for similar offences as provided for in the Fisheries Act, 1980.
I am very concerned about the high level of illegal fishing taking place not only in the Foyle area but in the country as a whole. Our valuable salmon stocks have been seriously depleted in recent years because of illegal activities. We all have a duty to ensure that these stocks are safeguarded in the interests of our commercial fishermen, anglers and our very important tourist industry. I am satisfied that the setting up in 1980 of the regional fisheries boards has helped to improve protection and will continue to do so in the future. The increase in fines provided for in the Fisheries Act, 1980 has also contributed to a reduction in illegal fishing and I am satisfied that the increased penalties now proposed for the Foyle area will likewise act as a good deterrent against illegal fishing there.
I should like to emphasise, as strongly as I can, that while I hold the office of Minister for Fisheries and Forestry I will spare no effort to ensure that the cancer of illegal salmon fishing is reduced to the minimum. I look forward to the continued co-operation of the Regional Fisheries Boards, the Naval Service and the Gardaí in achieving that target.
I would refer Senators to the explanatory memorandum accompanying the Bill which sets out the existing penalties and the proposed increased penalties. Similar provisions for increases in penalties for the same offences have been prescribed in a Fisheries Amendment (Northern Ireland) Order. It is proposed that both the Bill, when enacted, and the Northern Ireland Order should come into operation at the same time.