Vol. 490 No. 6
42 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of flagships based at each of the Irish ports; the ports at which they are based; the economic linkage criteria that determined their acceptance to operate out of Irish ports; and the controls and monitoring, if any, carried out on their activities. [10900/98]
There are some 12 vessels on the Irish fishing vessel register which are owned by interests from other EU member states. Most of these vessels, which are based at Castletownbere, Dingle and Renard Point, have been registered in Ireland for a considerable time.
The law governing the granting of sea fishing boat licences provides that a licence may be given where the boat is owned by an EU national, or by a company established under the law of an EU member state which has its principal place of business in a member state. In considering licence applications, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources may take account of the economic benefits which the operation of the boat would be likely to contribute to coastal communities and regions which quotas are designed to benefit. Specifically, the Minister may have regard to considerations such as the expected number of landings at Irish ports, the projected annual tonnage and value of fish landed, the projected annual level of expenditure in the State on wages, supplies, etc. and the projected annual level of social security and tax payments.
All fishing vessels, including flagships, which operate in Irish waters are strictly monitored and controlled, both at sea and in port. I am committed to ensuring that our control systems operate with optimum effectiveness in enforcing compliance with fisheries law. The Deputy may be aware that I have taken steps to strengthen the controls and I expect that these will have a significant impact.
