Govt agrees to water down controversial Fisheries Bill - report

The Government has reportedly promised to water down its controversial Fisheries Bill in order to placate Fianna Fáil backbenchers.

The legislation, which paves the way for all fishing offences to be dealt with by the courts, was voted through the Dáil in its original form last night.

However, reports this morning said Marine Minister Noel Dempsey told a meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs last night that further legislation would be brought forward to introduce a system of non-criminal penalties for minor breaches of fishing rules.

The move follows discontent among fishing organisations and a number of Fianna Fáil backbenchers about the original legislation.

They claimed dealing with fishing breaches through the courts would leave Ireland at a competitive disadvantage because other EU countries have the less stringent administrative system.

Fishing groups have reacted cautiously to the apparent government climbdown on the matter, with the Irish Fish Producers Organisation expressing doubt about Mr Dempsey's commitment to the Fianna Fáil TDs.

The organisation said Mr Dempsey had promised to make the commitment in the Dáil last night, but this did not happen.