Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 21 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 4

Priority Questions. - Fishing Vessel Licences.

Alan M. Dukes

Ceist:

62 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the statutory or other provision under which he has both issued and extended a temporary fishing licence to a vessel (details supplied); the reason a normal fishing licence has not issued for this vessel; the further reason it is not entered on the EU register of fishing vessels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29014/01]

A succession of short-term licences have been granted since August 2000 for the fishing vessel concerned under section 222B of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, as amended. Under this section, the Minister is empowered to grant a fishing vessel licence for any specified time period and under any conditions deemed appropriate and necessary.

The short-term licences have been granted subject to, and pending, the outcome of negotiations with the European Commission on a number of interrelated issues. These centre primarily on Ireland's formal application to be credited with additional fleet capacity and effort to take account of new international fishing opportunities. In that context, the negotiations with the Commission have also focused on the separate requirement to reduce the excess power capacity in the pelagic segment to bring the situation into line with existing MGP targets. It had been envisaged throughout that these negotiations would be completed at a much earlier stage. However, the discussions with the Commission have been technically complex and the process has been very prolonged and, at times, frustrating as a result. As with each of the previous short-term licences, the current licence was issued in anticipation of the negotiations being concluded within the time period of the licence. I am hopeful there will be clos ure shortly. We are keeping in close and regular touch with the Commission with the objective of wrapping up matters without further undue delay.

The vessel is already registered under the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955, on the general register of Irish ships, and I would point out that this of itself is a legal requirement for the vessel concerned. For the process of definitive registry on the Irish register of fishing boats and the EU fishing fleet register to be completed, the matters under negotiation with the Commission need to be finalised satisfactorily. The Commission is fully aware of the status of the vessel and we have made it clear throughout these negotiations that resolution of the matters under discussion is key to completing the licensing and registration process.

May I first sympathise with the Minister of State that it is the Minister who is in Chile today, and not the Minister of State. As far as this vessel is concerned, can I take it the Minister of State has just confirmed it is not on the EU fishing fleet register and that it is not definitively on the Irish fishing fleet register? Is it the case that this vessel was issued with a temporary licence even though, to use the jargon of the trade, it had bought no tonnage? Does the Minister of State agree that is unfair to all of the other vessels definitively on the register, which can be put on the register only when they replace tonnage? If it ever gets to the point where the vessel comes on the register, will 100% or 130% tonnage replacement be required? Is it the case, as reported on the 8th of this month, that the Government has still not provided the Commission with the information it needs to reach a conclusion on this issue?

The Deputy is right when he implies that the fishing vessel is not on the Irish register, nor is it on the European register, but all efforts are being made to get it on to both registers. All sea fishing licences are issued under section 222B of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, as amended, and it is therefore in order for a Minster to issue a licence under that section for any period of time. The Minister can impose any conditions on a licence, and the reason it has been issued with short-term licences is because we hoped the negotiations with Europe would be completed. To date, however, such negotiations have not been completed but we are in continuous contact with them.

The boat in question is well known to most people and it is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, fishing vessels in the world. The industry, and many other people, complained that we got a small slice of the action when it came to fishing and that we did not have vessels that were capable of venturing to the deep waters. We now have such a vessel and if it gets onto the Irish register, which I expect will be the case, and onto the European register, I hope it will complement the fishing industry here.

The Minister of State has not answered my question on tonnage replacement, if and when this vessel is put on the Irish register. Will it be a 100% replacement requirement or will this vessel have to replace a tonnage equivalent to 130% of its rated tonnage? If the Minister had not issued a succession of short-term licences over a period of 16 months to this vessel, a most unprecedented situation, would that capacity have been available to allocate to other vessels on the Irish register?

The Deputy is probably aware that the boat in question is fishing in Mauritania under agreement with its authorities. In relation to the first part of the Deputy's question, I hope it will enhance matters.

That is not what I asked the Minister of State.

Negotiations are taking place with regard to replacement tonnage.

Is it 100% or 130%?

I am answering that question. The Deputy would not expect me to negotiate in the Chamber today. Negotiations are going on but I can assure the Deputy—

I am just looking for the facts. The Minister of State is avoiding the question.

I never avoid questions, Deputy.

He deliberately avoided the same question twice.

Barr
Roinn