Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:959 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Marine when applications for tonnage which were submitted in 1994 to his Department will be considered; and when a decision will be made in this regard. [15116/96]
Written Answers. - Tonnage Application.
The scheme to which the Deputy refers was initiated following consultations with the EU Commission in order to regularise the position of vessels which had formed part of the Irish fleet but which for various reasons were not placed on the register of sea fishing boards created under the terms of the Merchant Shipping (Registry, Lettering and Numbering) Regulations, 1989 (S.I. No. 344 of 1989).
The details of the scheme and its implementation are still the subject of discussion with the Commission. It is envisaged, however, that agreement on outstanding matters in this regard will be reached in the context of negotiations on the next multi-annual guidance programme on EU fleet capacity. On the basis of current progress, it is envisaged that the applications received under the scheme will be processed by the Department later this year.