Gormley: Lost at Sea scheme needs further discussion

By Mary Regan Political Reporter

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

THE Government could be forced to reconsider its rejection of the Ombudsman’s report on the Lost at Sea scheme after the Green Party leader, John Gormley, said it needs to be discussed further by the Cabinet.

The Government has refused to allow an Oireachtas committee consider the report which is critical of the administration of the compensation scheme for fishermen set up by former marine minister and Fianna Fáil TD, Frank Fahey.

But Mr Gormley has disagreed with the position of Taoiseach Brian Cowen, saying further discussions are needed on the issue in the interest of transparency.

It is just the second time in history the recommendations of the state watchdog have been rejected and Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly said this marked a "critical moment" in the 25-year history of her office.

Mr Gormley said yesterday the report was never properly discussed by the Government and that all options must be looked at.

"I think it’s very important that the Oireachtas committee be allowed to carry out their duties and I would have no difficulties with that," he said.

"If it throws further light on an issue, I do believe in openness and transparency and I do believe in getting to the bottom of matters and I have no difficulty with that."

The rejection of her report promoted Ms O’Reilly to launch a scathing attack on the political system last week, claiming politicians were voting along party lines, regardless of the issue.

Asked if it was right that TDs voted on party lines in a Dáil decision not to send the report to a committee, Mr Gormley said: "We will have to look at that."

He said: "There was no real discussion on that. I have no difficulty addressing the issue in more detail and looking at all of the options that are available to us in order to advance any further investigation."

He said he met Ms O’Reilly recently to discuss a number of issues. "I have to say she was extremely helpful in relation to planning matters and I hope that it was a reciprocal arrangement," he said.

The Lost at Sea scheme was set up in 2001, allowing owners of fishing boats lost between 1980 and 1990 to apply for compensation in the form of tonnage quota.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, March 17, 2010