An Achill-based fishing representative says the new penalty points system for the industry in unjust.

Hugo Boyle is the Chief Executive of the South East Fish Producers Organisation, and he says the signing of a Statutory Instrument by the Taoiseach last Friday was, at best, ‘carelessness’.

Under the proposal fishermen can only challenge points to their license as a point of law, the burden of proof in appeal cases rests with the fisherman rather than with prosecutors and even if appeals to the High Court are successful the penalty points will remain on the accused fisherman’s license.

The Chief Executive of the South East Fish Producers Organisation Hugo Boyle told Midwest News that the penalty points system must be amended so that it is fair and just.