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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 2

Written Answers. - Fishing Vessel Licences.

Austin Deasy

Question:

115 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if there is a time limit within which fishermen have to use tonnage which they were in possession of when the EU directive became operative. [3765/99]

I take it that the Deputy is referring to the special licensing scheme for small vessels which I introduced with the agreement of the EU Commission to regularise the position of a number of unregistered small boats.

Under the EU Common Fisheries Policy, member states' fishing fleets are constrained by capacity limits set in the context of multi-annual guidance programmes. Against this background, Irish sea-fishing boat licensing policy is designed to maintain strict control on proposed introductions into the fleet. Licences are only granted, therefore, where an applicant proposes to remove capacity from the sea-fishing boat register equal to that of the proposed new vessel. This policy has been in place since May 1990.

Vessels licensed under the special licensing scheme may not, as a general rule, be removed from the sea-fishing boat register or used as replacement capacity to facilitate the introduction of a new vessel into the fleet until 12 months after the date of their registration.

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