Vol. 551 No. 4
51 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the highest estimated figure given to the EU for 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 to complete the 3000 tonnes scheme; the number of tonnes which were sent back to Europe from the 3000 tonnes scheme; if boats under 12 metres will be exempt from buying tonnage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10824/02]
The special scheme to which the Deputy refers was approved by the EU Commission as a once-off measure to regularise the position of fishing vessels which were part of the Irish fishing fleet prior to 1990 but which for various reasons had not been licensed and registered. To date tonnage has been approved under the scheme in respect of 762 vessels, involving a total of 2,169 gross registered tonnes. Some 500 of these vessels so far have been entered on the Irish and EU fishing boat registers. This information is not readily available on a yearly basis. There are 170 further applications which have not provided evidence of full compliance with the relevant conditions of the scheme.
Only vessels which complied with the terms of the special scheme, which closed in February 1995, could be granted tonnage from what was a provisional overall allocation provided by the EU Commission in this regard. The Commission decision on the multi-annual guidance programme, MGP, for Ireland provides that when all applications under the scheme have been processed, the capacity objectives of our polyvalent fleet segment will be revised accordingly.
All fishing vessels engaged in commercial sea fishing, including those under 12 metres in length, are legally required to be licensed and registered. For Ireland to comply with its binding MGP fleet capacity limits the current legal position is that 100% replacement capacity must be provided before a vessel can be licensed and registered. The Deputy will be aware, however, that I am seeking EU approval for amendments to the scheme for the licensing of inshore vessels so that owners of vessels under 12 metres would have to provide only 50% replacement capacity in the context of the possible creation of a separate new inshore segment.
