The purpose of the section is to amend provisions in section 16 of the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955 which governs the ownership and registration of fishing vessels to accord equal tyreatment to the nationals and bodies corporate of European Union States. It would be of assistance to the Committee if I gave some background to the section.
A European Court ruling of 4 October, 1991 found that the provision in Irish law which precluded non-nationals from holding a licence for a fishing boat was contrary to the Treaty of Rome. This matter is rectified in section 6. Section 3 provides for complimentary amendments to the provisions governing the entry of fishing boats on the shipping register. Non-EU nationals or bodies corporate remain excluded from ownership of an Irish registered boat. All fishing boats engaged in commercial sea fishing are required to be entered on the register of fishing boats which is provided for in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. In addition, all fishing boats over 35 ft. in length are required to be entered in the Shipping Register, that is distinct from the register of fishing boats which is provided for under the Mercantile Marine Act, 1995. Boats under 35 ft. in length may be registered if the owners wish. That is the purpose of section 3, a formal section; there is nothing sinister about it.