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Fishing Vessel Licences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004

Thursday, 28 October 2004

Ceisteanna (218, 219)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

218 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when a new fishing boat (details supplied) will be registered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26552/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing and registration were transferred from the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats. The head of the licensing authority is the registrar general of fishing boats, a senior official in my Department. The licensing authority has informed me that the vessel concerned has been approved for entry onto the fishing boat register and that a certificate of registry for the vessel has now issued to the owner.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

219 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the proposals he has to dramatically reduce the delay of up to 18 months in regard to applications for the licensing and registration of new fishing boats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26553/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

An independent Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats, which is responsible for both the licensing and registration of fishing boats, was established last year under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003. The processing of licensing applications had to be suspended for much of last year pending the finalisation of a new EU fleet policy and the consequent introduction of a new national licensing policy. The licensing authority has since been working through a backlog of licensing applications. It has informed me that it expects, by the end of next month, to have processed all licence applications currently on hands and to be in a position whereby a substantive reply will issue to all future applicants within four weeks of the date of receipt.

The licensing authority has informed me that it has processed all licence applications received in 2003 to the greatest extent possible. In many cases licence offers have been issued but all of the conditions of offer have to be complied with by the vessel owner before a licence can issue. With regard to licence applications made in 2004, the licensing authority has processed the vast majority of applications to the greatest extent possible other than those relating to the specific and aquaculture fleet segments. The licensing authority found it necessary to review the position with regard to the licensing of certain vessels in these fleet segments but hopes to shortly be able to issue a substantive reply in all of these cases.

The processing to finality of registration applications has been delayed in certain cases, mainly due to the need for the licensing authority to resolve, with the European Commission, a technical issue arising from new EU requirements in relation to the reporting of fleet changes. This issue has resulted in a delay in entering some vessels on the fishing boat register. The licensing authority is hopeful that the technical issue can be resolved very shortly so that the processing of any currently outstanding registration applications can be completed. The licensing authority hopes to shortly be in a position to have all registration applications processed within three weeks of their receipt.

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