Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Written Answers - Inshore Licences.

John Deasy

Ceist:

232 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding plans to implement a new limited inshore licence scheme for Irish fishing boats; if it is intended to charge a fee for this licence; the estimated cost of such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9772/03]

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

My Department is currently finalising the terms and implementation of the new limited inshore licensing scheme, having regard to issues raised in the course of extensive consultations with the industry, and to requirements of the European commission in relation to the scheme. It is proposed that final documentation in respect of the scheme, including application forms, will be made available around the end of this month, with a likely closing date for applications of end May.

It is proposed to amend the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2002, currently before the Oireachtas, to provide enabling powers for the charging of fees for sea-fishing licence applications and licences so as to meet the considerable and growing administrative cost of such work. The types of sea fishing licence applications and licences to be subjected to fees have yet to be decided, as have the level of fees to be charged.