Monica Barnes
Question:37 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine the number of applications for fishing vessel licences at 31 January 1991; whether any new licences have recently been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Licences.
The number of active licence applications on hands at 31 January 1991 was 220, the vast majority of which do not meet the criteria for the granting of licences. My Department are busy processing these cases at present. Five licences have issued so far in 1991.
I have explained on a number of previous occasions the background to national licensing policy. I would refer the Deputies in particular to the Adjournment Debate on 31 May 1990 and subsequent press release. I would also refer the Deputies to my reply to the written question from Deputy Mary Coughlan on 12 December 1990.
The position briefly is that in August of 1989 I imposed a total embargo on the issue of new licences except where prior written commitments had been given. Policy has evolved since then to the point where licences, other than licences for vessels engaged in aquaculture or bivalve fishing or certain vessels which have been approved by the European Commission, are granted only to those who are able to meet the condition of withdrawing from the current sea fishing boat register tonnage and horsepower equal to the tonnage and horsepower of their new vessels. In addition they must be able to satisfy me on the following criteria: (a) that the new vessel is safe and seaworthy; (b) that the skipper/crew will be duly qualified in accordance with relevant legislation; (c) that no decommissioning grant shall have been paid in respect of the new vessel; and (d) proof of ownership.
I must also be satisfied that the economic and social benefits arising from the exploitation of the target species of the boats involved will accrue primarily to the coastal regions and communities which the quotas concerned are designed to benefit. Of the five licences issued so far in 1991, three were issued in respect of change of ownership cases within the existing fleet and two in respect of people who had written commitments to licences pre-dating the embargo referred to earlier.
It is long-established policy not to disclose the details of individual applications received or licences granted.