Paul Bradford
Ceist:93 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for the Marine if he will respond favourably to an application for a sea fishing licence, lodged in his Department in August 1990 by a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
Written Answers. - County Cork Sea Fishing Licence Application.
In view of European Community policy with regard to fleet capacity and the constraints imposed by that policy, licences are only being approved in respect of applications which involve 100 per cent replacement of active tonnage and horsepower. Applicants have to demonstrate that they intend removing active tonnage and horsepower from the current fishing boat register which is at least equal to the tonnage and horsepower of their new boat. Boats removed from the register in this manner would be required to be deregistered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, e.g. scrapped or sold outside the State.
The applicant in question has not indicated that he has any tonnage or horsepower to remove from the register and until such time as he indicates that he is in a position to comply with the current requirements his application for a sea fishing boat licence cannot be approved.