JOINT COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS, MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 1 No. 27

Messages to Dáil and Seanad.

Chairman

In accordance with Standing Order 85 the following message will be sent to the Dáil:

The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has completed its consideration of the Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alterations of Duties) Order 2003, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 28 November 2003.

In accordance with Standing Order 67 the following message will be sent to the Seanad:

The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has completed its consideration of the Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alterations of Duties) Order 2003, copies of which were laid before Seanad Éireann on 28 November 2003.

Is the report on the motion regarding the Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences) (Alterations of Duties) Order 2003 agreed?

Deputy Coveney

Some members of the committee do not agree with it. We have reservations about the level of the increase but we do not have sufficient numbers to oppose it.

Chairman

We will resume in ten minutes.

Sitting suspended at 5 p.m. and resumed at5.15 p.m.

Chairman

I must resume reading of the message to be sent to the Clerk of the Dáil and the Clerk of the Seanad.

The Joint Committee on Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, at its meeting on 16 December 2003, considered the following motions which had been referred to it by Dáil Éireann on 4 December 2003 and Seanad Éireann on 3 December 2003:

That Dáil Éireann approves the draft order entitled Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences)(Alterations of Duties) Order 2003.

That Seanad Éireann approves the draft order entitled Fisheries (Miscellaneous Commercial Licences)(Alterations of Duties) Order 2003.

The debate commenced at 4.22 p.m. with an opening statement by the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in which he outlined the purpose of the draft order which relates to the licence fees to be payable in respect of salmon, eel and oyster commercial fishing licences and salmon, eel, mollusc and shellfish dealer's licences issued or renewed for the period commencing on or after 1 January 2004. Deputies O'Flynn, Broughan, Coveney, Kelly, O'Donovan and Éamon Ryan and Senators Finucane and Kenneally, members of the joint committee, contributed to the debate which followed. The debate concluded at 4.56 p.m. Following the debate, the joint committee agreed to report back to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann to the effect that it had completed its consideration of the draft order. A formal message in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 84(2) of the Dáil and Standing Order 69(2) of the Seanad and in accordance with Standing Order 85 of the Dáil and Standing Order 67 of the Seanad is being sent separately to the Clerks of both Houses. The full text of the debate on the matter will be published separately in due course, by the Editor of Debates.

Is that agreed?

Senator Finucane

I assume our concerns will be reflected in the full report.

Deputy Coveney

Fine Gael has a difficulty with this order. The single application of the increases is excessive. Increases of 70% for some of the categories are too high for people to pay in one go. Although I am in agreement with the principle of yearly increases in line with inflation in future, increases of between 44% and 70% in one year are excessive and I cannot support them. However, I recognise that Fine Gael does not have the capacity in this committee to vote against them.

Deputy Broughan

I have concerns about the background to these increases. I accept what the Minister of State has told us. Due to our vast portfolio members of this committee often struggle with elements of information in this area. I have some concerns and reservations. If it were this time next year and we had an operational system regarding these fees, the situation would be easier. We seem to be remedying something which was allowed to lie on the table for years.

Senator Finucane

I fully concur with Deputy Coveney's concerns.

Chairman

Has the committee any views on whether there should be further debate on the motion in the Dáil and Seanad? May I take it that the committee recommends that there should be no further debate on the motion by the Dáil or Seanad? Is that agreed? Agreed.

Deputy Coveney

Members of the Dáil or Seanad may also wish to have the opportunity to express their reservations.

Chairman

I thank the Minister of State for attending today's meeting. The Clerk will write to the consultants setting out the terms agreed today, informing them of the conflicts of interest and so on and seeking their response in this regard. The Clerk will also inform them that the fee for the work will be €5,000. Does that figure include VAT?

Deputy Coveney

Yes.

Chairman

I wish all members a happy and peaceful New Year. On behalf of the joint committee I wish the committee secretariat, broadcasting unit, Debates Office staff, sound engineers, ushers and the staff from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Deputy Browne

I thank the Chairman for his courtesy in dealing with these motions and also thank members from all sides for their contributions. I wish the Chairman, his staff and all Members and officials a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Deputy Broughan

I thank the committee staff and the Minister of State for their work at today's meeting. We look forward to seeing the Chairman in his native city of Cork, our southern capital, in a few weeks time.

The joint committee adjourned at 5.22 p.m.,sine die.