Seán Ryan
Question:57 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine if, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction being expressed by fishermen and organisations, he has any plans to introduce a new system of issuing sea fishing boat licences.
Written Answers. - Sea Fishing Boat Licensing.
I should perhaps explain that the objective of sea fishing boat licensing policy is to control and regulate entry into the Irish fishing fleet. Boats wishing to enter the fleet must first be licensed under section 222B, as inserted by the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1983, of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959.
The constraints imposed by the Current EC Policy in respect of fleet capacity within the Community have necessitated the introduction into Irish licensing policy of a requirement that all applicants must provide 100 per cent replacement tonnage and horsepower in support of licence applications. Under this policy, applicants must demonstrate that they intend removing from the current sea fishing boat register an amount of active tonnage and horsepower, at least equal to the tonnage and horsepower of the proposed new boat, in order to facilitate the entry of that boat into the fleet.
I am aware that some fishermen may feel aggrieved, when licence applications are refused because of their inability to comply with the current licensing policy requirements. I would stress, however, that any fisherman who feels aggrieved by a particular decision or who considers that he is now in a position to meet the policy requirements may request to have his case reconsidered.
I must emphasise that in the light of our current difficulties with the EC Commission on the size of the Irish fleet, there can be no basis at this stage for any general relaxation of the present replacement policy requirements.