asked the Minister for the Marine the basis on which 32,000 gross registered tonnage has been accepted as our limit; the way in which the GRT is calculated and by whom; if any vessel has been rejected for grant-aid or licensing on the basis of exceeding our GRT and if he will give details of same; the plans, he has to increase our GRT limit; and if he will give details of them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gross Registered Tonnage.
6.
The limit of 32,000 tonnes gross registered tonnage on the Irish fleet was included in an EC Commission decision of 24 April 1985 in the context of Irish multi-annual guidance programme submitted under the 1983 structures regulation. The decision was taken under the management committee procedure in spite of opposition from Ireland.
We have submitted a new multi-annual guidance programme in respect of the fleet and aquaculture in accordance with the most recently adopted structures regulation. The programme envisages an increase in the overall GRT of the fleet and a decision is expected shortly.
One application for a grant in respect of the construction of a large fishing vessel was deemed ineligible on the basis that it did not conform with the decision in question. No licences have been refused arising from this decision.
May I ask the Minister where the original figure of 32,000 tonnes came from? Was the figure given to Europe by the Department of Fisheries, as it was then or is it a figure Europe imposed on us?
It was the figure given by the previous Administration——
Where did that Administration get that figure? How was it compiled or calculated?
I believe it was calculated on the overall tonnage of boats over 33 feet.
On the register?
I admit obvious mistakes were made then and we are doing our utmost to rectify those mistakes. A limit of 32,000 tonnes gross registered tonnage could have serious effect for the industry if we are to modernise and develop our fleet, even for safety reasons, to fish in waters off any of our coasts, but particularly the west coast, to take up our white fish quotas, to continue to build on the non-quota species, such as blue whiting and horse mackerel and, hopefully, to obtain the increased quotas before the end of this year.
Will the Minister tell the House if we are, and have been for some time, exceeding considerably the 32,000 tonnes upper limit of gross registered tonnage and if we are outside the law? Is there any risk of further applications in the immediate future being refused whether for grant-aid or licence on the basis of the existing figure of 32,000 tonnes? What figure of gross registered tonnage has the Minister included in his recent submission to which he referred as being acceptable under the multi-annual guidance programme?
We were operating well above the 32,000 gross registered tonnage limit, and we are not ashamed to say this. Mistakes were made and we have to rectify them. We must try to achieve the maximum figure but the figure I gave was that which was given on 31 December 1984. I believe that figure should have been approximately 45,000 tonnes. On 1 January 1987 the gross registered tonnage stood at about 53,000 tonnes. We are negotiating with the Commission at the moment and we are trying to achieve a substantial increase on this 32,000 tonnes.
Is the Minister in a position to put a figure on the tonnage he is requesting from the Commission?
Since negotiations are taking place at the moment, I believe I would be weakening the hands of my officials in Brussels today if I were to give that information.
What is the overall gross registered tonnage for the Community?
I do not have that information at the moment but I can certainly obtain it for the Deputy.
Is the Minister optimistic about the outcome of the negotiations in Brussels?
I am optimistic that we will get an adequate increase.