Vol. 392 No. 1
asked the Minister for the Marine the present position regarding his Department's discussions with the European Commission concerning the Irish fleet capacity; if improvements in the existing regulations have been secured; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
121.
asked the Minister for the Marine if his Department have yet calculated the exact capacity of the Irish fleet; if so, the capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 121 together.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the fishing fleet. The process of re-registering the Irish fishing fleet in order to establish the precise capacity of the fleet is progressing satisfactorily. I expect this exercise to be completed within the next two months. At this stage, on the basis of work carried out to date, it would not be prudent to attempt to anticipate what the final capacity might be. My Department are continuing their ongoing discussions with the Commission on this matter. Completion of these discussions and the making of any adjustments in EC requirements for the fleet are partly contingent on the results of the re-registration exercise.
