I have a question about the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill. As the Taoiseach knows, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, laid a statutory instrument before the House on Easter Monday to allow penalty points to be applied to fishing vessel owners who engaged in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. While we all agree with having a proper and fair regime in that regard, given the fate of previous statutory instruments that were proved to be unconstitutional, the Minister indicated that he would not do this by statutory instrument but rather by primary legislation and that he would consult other parties on it. He has not consulted other parties. My party has a particular difficulty with the statutory instrument. My question is why is the Government introducing a statutory instrument. The statutory instrument and the appeals process are unfair. Will the Government revert to its original position that it would introduce primary legislation to govern this issue, as it would allow for proper transparency and fairness for all concerned?

I acknowledge that I am not fully familiar with the proposal about the statutory instrument.

I cannot hear the Minister of State.

I am not fully familiar with the proposal about the statutory instrument, but if the Minister has said he intends to consult and revert to primary legislation, I presume that is what he will do. I can check.

The Minister of State might check with Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher who is an acknowledged expert.

Okay.

What about the Ceann Comhairle?

The statutory instrument has been laid before the House. I ask the Minister of State to consult Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher.

Poor Charlie.

I will check with my colleague, the Minister, Deputy Michael Creed, first.

Deputy Charlie McConalogue has proved to be an expert advocate on behalf of farmers who need fodder.

Deputy Micheál Martin cannot enter a second round.