Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1109. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which his attention was drawn to Inland Fisheries Ireland not having the power to prosecute offences under the Fisheries Acts (details supplied); his plans to amend this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13180/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1117. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the way in which his attention was drawn to Inland Fisheries Ireland not having the power to prosecute offences under the Fisheries Acts, in view of a communication issued by his Department to that agency (details supplied); the legal advice with which he has been furnished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13182/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1118. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of legal cases which have already been determined by the courts but for which an appeal against the ruling has been taken by the defendant, in view of a communication issued by his Department to Inland Fisheries Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13183/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1109, 1117 and 1118 together.
The Office of the Attorney General provided advice to my Department in the course of a review of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 in February. My Department advised Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) of the relevant position. It should be noted that anyone who commits an offence is still liable to be prosecuted under the Act. Amending legislation is being drafted as a matter of priority.
The administration of cases in the Courts is not a matter for my Department and cases in being will take their course before the Courts.
