Gallagher future - Fishing industry needs reform

SPECULATION on the political future of junior Marine Minister Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher was bound to flare up following rumours of a high-level rift within the Department of Marine over how to tackle an explosion of illegal fishing by Irish trawlers.

Mr Gallagher is widely tipped to be moved today in a mini Government reshuffle. Inevitably, and especially since the port of Killybegs, one of Ireland’s main fishing centres, is at the heart of his Donegal constituency, the minister’s name has been linked in political circles with a backbench Fianna Fáil revolt against Government moves to introduce stronger criminal sanctions against those found guilty of breaking EU fishery laws.

With Ireland reportedly facing EU fines of €40 million, politicians are finally facing up to the fact that this country has to deal with illegal fishing. The fundamental question is whether fishermen who break the law should face uncompromising criminal sanctions, with all that implies, or suffer purely administrative penalties.