15K.—(1) Subject to subsection (6) and section 15J(2), where points are assigned to a master on the Irish Fishing Master Register in accordance with this Chapter, the Minister shall suspend the registration of the master in the Irish Fishing Master Register—

(a) where the master accumulates a total of 18 points, for a period of 2 months,

(b) where the master accumulates a total of 36 points, for a period of 4 months,

(c) where the master accumulates a total of 54 points, for a period of 8 months, and

(d) where the master accumulates a total of 72 points, for a period of 12 months.

(2) Where the registration of a master in the Irish Fishing Master Register is suspended under subsection (1), the Minister shall record the suspension in that Register.

(3) A master whose registration in the Irish Fishing Master Register has been suspended under subsection (1) shall immediately inform the holder of a sea-fishing boat licence who engages or proposes to engage him or her as master, of—

(a) such suspension,

(b) the reasons for such suspension, and

(c) the duration of such suspension.

(4) A person who fails to comply with subsection (3) commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a class B fine.

(5) Where during a period of suspension under subsection (1) (in this subsection referred to as "the first-mentioned period"), the master is assigned further points which result in a further suspension under that subsection, the period of the further suspension shall commence on the day immediately following the last day of the first-mentioned period.

(6) Where a master whose registration in the Irish Fishing Master Register has been suspended under subsection (1) does not commit another serious infringement within 3 years from the date of the detection of the last serious infringement to which the points assigned to him or her relate, the record in that Register of the suspension shall be deleted by the Minister.]