Vol. 577 No. 3
385 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position in relation to a boat licence for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31370/03]
The reason for the delay in the processing of the licensing application concerned was that the independent licensing authority, established under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, had to suspend the processing of sea-fishing boat licence applications. This situation arose, initially, from the need for clarification with regard to a new EU fleet management policy and, more recently, from the consequent need to introduce a new national licensing policy.
On 17 November I issued a policy directive to the licensing authority, as provided for under the aforementioned Act. The licensing authority is processing outstanding licence applications as rapidly as possible. It has advised me that a letter of offer of a licence has issued to the individual concerned.
