SFPA prosecution review
Deputy Collins cites the collapsed Sean Ward seafood prosecution and asks whether the DPP should review the matter in light of the judge’s findings. The Minister points to the separation of powers and says the Minister of State with marine responsibility will respond.
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, prosecuted Sean Ward (Fish Exports) Limited, a Killybegs seafood company, for allegedly tampering with weighing scales in 2015. The case collapsed after ten years in late 2025, with the judge citing a complete lack of evidence. This has led to a huge industry backlash against the SFPA for what many have called harassment, wasted resources and damaged reputations, and a call for major reform. In light of this judgment in the SFPA v. Sean Ward (Fish Exports) Limited case, will this Government ask the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, to review all current weighing pending prosecutions against fishermen from Castletownbere to Killybegs?
Comment on this
As the Deputy knows, there is a separation of powers in this State with regard to the role of the Executive, the Oireachtas, the DPP and An Garda Síochána. On the more substantive issue the Deputy raised, I will ask the Minister of State with responsibility for the marine to respond to him.