With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 11 together.
In reply to a question on 27th January, 1977 I gave details of the present position in relation to fishing by third countries and other EEC member States in the Irish 200-mile fishery zone. The only third countries in respect of which a precise number of boats to be controlled by the issue of licences, as decided by the Council of Ministers of the European Communities are the Soviet Union, Poland and the German Democratic Republic. Agreement on a Council regulation on the detailed conditions to apply to fishing vessels of these countries in the extended fishing waters of the Community member states in the interim period ending 31st March, 1977 was reached on 28th January, 1977.
The regulation is concerned with the detailed application of the decision taken before the end of 1976 on the greatly reduced quotas which would apply to these countries. In the case of Ireland's 200-mile zone these quotas are only for mackrel and horse mackrel and they can be fished only in certain sea areas, all of which are more than 50 miles from the Irish coast.
The three countries concerned were notified by the country at present holding the presidency of the Council of Ministers, that is to say Britain, of the detailed conditions which will apply. Only vessels in respect of which licences have been issued will be permitted to fish in Community waters. They will be strictly limited in numbers.
The number of licences which may be issued for fishing vessels of between 2,000 and 3,500 gross registered tons will be limited to five for Poland, six for the German Democratic Republic and 27 for the Soviet Union. The maximum number of vessels of between 2,000 and 3,500 gross registered tons permitted to fish at the same time in Community waters is five for Poland, five for the German Democratic Republic and 17 for the Soviet Union.
Should vessels of a tonnage less than 2,000 GRT be used, the number of licences and the maximum number of vessels permitted to fish at the same time will be calculated according to the following conversion rates:
up to 1,000 GRT
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:
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2.5
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1,000 to 2,000 GRT
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:
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1.5
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