I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 37 together.
Before dealing with the various elements of these questions, I would like to stress the importance of the special whitefish boat licensing scheme for the further development of the Irish fishing industry. Prior to its introduction, it had become apparent that we could not hope realistically to catch a significant proportion of our unused whitefish quota allocations off the west and south west coasts, valued at about £10 million annually, unless a number of suitable all-weather whitefish boats, capable of fishing in safety in our deeper offshore waters, could be brought into the fleet. The scheme, which provided for the entry of a maximum of 20 boats, was designed essentially to fill this gap. A key feature of the scheme was a provision for the phasing in over a five year period of the now established licensing priciple of 100 per cent capacity replacement.
The response to the scheme from fishermen was very encouraging and a total of 50 applications was received. The number of applications from counties Donegal, Kerry and Cork was 19, 15 and nine, respectively. The geographical distribution of the remaining applications was County Galway, one; County Clare, one; County Wexford, one; County Dublin, two and County Louth, two. Of the 20 licences approved, four were allocated to County Donegal, ten to County Kerry and six to County Cork.
Eight of the successful applicants had already and acquired boats before licences were granted. Of the boats in question, five had been detained in 1991 for illegal fishing. BIM assistance in relation to development projects was given to two of the successful applicants during 1991.
The legal basis for the issue of the licences is derived from section 222B, inserted by the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1983, of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959.
The principal criteria used in assessing applications were the following: compliance with the terms of the scheme as regards size of boat etc.; assessment of the area of operation proposed for the vessel, the target species and the fishing methods to be employed; economic viability; economic link with the Irish fishing industry; applicant's record in fishing; adequate infrastructure at the applicant's designated landing port; job creation potential of project and regional balance, where possible, in the distribution of licences.
All the offers of licences made have been taken up and eight boats have already entered the fleet. The success of the scheme in achieving its objectives will be carefully monitored.
