Irish fishing organisations are planning demonstrations in the country's main ports next week against the Sea Fisheries Bill, which they claim will 'criminalise' them.
They want a system of administrative penalties rather than criminal convictions.
The Department of Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources has ruled this out on the basis of advice from the Attorney General.
However, RTÉ has learned that the relevant Oireachtas Committee has acquired independent legal advice which contradicts this.
