Sea fisheries amendment Bill
Pat The Cope Gallagher pressed for promised legislation to give legal force to the Voisinage agreement and protect small vessels. The Taoiseach said Cabinet had already cleared the Bill and he would ask the Minister to explain the delay.
My question relates to promised legislation and a sea fisheries (amendment) Bill. A necessity for this Bill has arisen due to a recent High Court decision concerning the agreement reached between Seán Lemass and Captain O'Neill in 1966, commonly known as the Voisinage agreement. To give this agreement a legal basis, and without being parochial about it, it does affect a number of small vessels in my constituency, it is important that it be enacted as quickly as possible. It is my understanding that there would be approval across the floor of the House.
Comment on this
This matter was cleared by Cabinet a couple of weeks ago. I am not sure what the reason is for the delay but I will have the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine check it for the Deputy. It did come before Government and it was cleared. I will find out what is the delay in publishing the Bill.