Vol. 397 No. 2
58 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for the Marine if, in the context of the Licensing Review Group, he accepts that licences should only be issued to bona fide fishermen holding the relevant qualifications who are domiciled in the State and who are Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A recommendation to this effect was put to the Licensing Review Group by the Irish Fishermen's Organisation (IFO). The objective it has in mind is, I understand, to ensure that the benefits of Irish quotas under the Common Fisheries Policy should only accrue to persons genuinely involved in the catching sector in Ireland.
I will be dealing with this issue fully when I come to make a full statement on the adoption of a new licensing policy. I will be taking every possible step to ensure to the maximum extent possible that the fish catch of Irish registered boats contributes to employment and development in this country. I believe that this can only be achieved by ensuring that Irish quotas accrue to persons genuinely involved in the catching sector in Ireland.
