Michael Ring
Ceist:264 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine when a decision will be taken on an application for a lobster licence submitted by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to his Department some 18 months ago. [6110/97]
Written Answers. - Lobster Licence.
All vessels engaged in commercial sea fishing, including those fishing for lobster, are required to be licensed and registered.
A special scheme was introduced in 1994 to regularise the position of a substantial number of mainly small vessels which had been in the fleet since 1984, but which for various reasons had not been formally licensed or registered.
The costing date for receipt of applications under the scheme was 17 February 1995. As I explained to the Deputy in my reply of 4 February, there is no record in the Department of an application under the scheme being received from the person to whom the Deputy refers. However, if the person in question can produce documentary evidence, such as proof of postage the Department may be willing to reconsider the matter.