Vol. 535 No. 4
76 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he proposes to issue free tonnage to fishing vessel owners whose vessels were lost at sea prior to the establishment of the Irish fleet register; the source of such tonnage; and the names and addresses of those to whom it is proposed to issue such free tonnage. [12749/01]
I am currently considering the possible introduction of a limited scheme whereby the capacity of vessels lost at sea prior to the establishment of the Fishing Boat Register in 1989 could, as an exceptional measure, be accepted as replacement capacity for licensing purposes. Any such concession would necessarily be subject to the most stringent preconditions on which my Department would have to be fully satisfied by reference to appropriate documentary evidence. Consultations are ongoing with the industry's representative organisations regarding such a scheme and no definitive decision has yet been taken.
