The Enforcement of Legislation

Part of 2. Questions to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister (in respect of his 'law officer' responsibilities) – in the Senedd at 2:33 pm on 21 May 2019.

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Photo of Jeremy Miles Jeremy Miles Labour 2:33, 21 May 2019

I'm surprised to hear the Member criticise our approach towards seeking to enforce the regulations that we are responsible for enforcing. I would have hoped that she would have supported the Government in practical and proactive enforcement of the regulations that we are responsible for enforcing here in Wales. And I think investment in fisheries patrol vehicles is a very, very sensible investment on the part of the Welsh Government, and they will be busier as a consequence of Brexit, if I may just point that out to the Member. 

Since I became Counsel General, I've been clear that the work around fisheries enforcement in particular is a priority, and I meet regularly with lawyers to ascertain the state of all the prosecutions that we have in relation to infractions across Wales. And the whole point of that is to maintain momentum and to ensure that people in Wales cannot simply disregard the regulations that are applicable and that are there to protect stocks of often very sensitive shellfish beds and so on, and other marine habitats, and we take that responsibility very seriously indeed.