I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 57 together.
The Department of the Marine, at the beginning of October, wrote by registered post to every registered owner of a fishing vessel enclosing a copy of a discussion document on the management and development of the sea fishing fleet and setting out on a strictly provisional basis the fleet category into which his or her boat would be put.
It was explained in the letter that the provisional categorisation of each boat is subject to review in the light of any appeal made or in the light of developments arising from the public consultations process. Each owner was given a period of eight weeks to get back to the Department.
I should explain that in the meantime a major consultation exercise has been undertaken entailing the following: as already mentioned, a copy of the document has been sent to every registered owner of a fishing boat; a detailed briefing has been given to representatives of the major fishing organisations; a series of widely advertised regional meetings have been held at ten locations nationwide at which the proposed policy has been explained in detail by senior departmental officials and local fishermen have had the opportunity of making suggestions and an overall input into the policy proposals; and written views have been sought on the document through advertisements in the papers.
Further detailed discussions will be held with the fishing industry organisations early next year. At that point there will be a full review of the proposals advanced in the discussion document with a view to meeting as far as this can be done all reasonable concerns expressed by fishermen.
Pending the completion of the review process there is no change in the status of the provisional letters issued. While the formal date for appealing this categorisation has passed, it has been made clear that a flexible attitude will be adopted to appeals received after the appeal date. I would encourage any fishermen or women who consider that his or her boat has not been correctly classified to get in touch with the Department as early as possible.
In drawing up the provisional categorisation lists the Department drew on all the information available to it on the recent fishing history of each boat. It is probable that in the vast majority of cases there will be no dispute about this. In some cases the information available to the Department may not be correct or there may be inadvertent administrative errors. It is for this reason that every fisherman and woman has been advised of his or her boat's classification. The appeals process involved is an administrative process and I can foresee no reason whatsoever why individuals should feel they would have to appeal to the courts to resolve any genuine claims that may be made. In other words, I am suggesting that there are two other routes — they can appeal either to the Minister or the Ombudsman. As fishermen have been hard done by they should not have to go to the expense of appealing to the courts. That is the reason they should avail of the other option to resolve all genuine claims.
I will deal in a more comprehensive manner with the general issue of an independent appeals mechanism in a reply to Question No. 54 on today's Order Paper.