Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

That response defies belief. If one wants a taxi licence, one must have a driving licence to drive a car. The Taxi Regulator does not issue one with a licence and ascertain afterwards whether one has a driving licence.

The licensing criteria state, "No licence will be issued until such time as the applicant who has initially been deemed appropriate for receipt of a licence presents himself with his appropriately licensed boat and dredge to a nominated Inspector of IFI". Despite this, IFI has confirmed to me that it will take no interest in whether a licensee has a commercial sea fishing licence. It states it is a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to decide that. The latter has confirmed that, in order to operate with an oyster fishing licence, one must have a commercial sea fishing licence and meet all the associated requirements.

My information indicates there may be some licensees operating in Lough Swilly who do not have the required commercial sea fishing licences. A system that does not verify that licensees meet the basic requirements for operating on the sea is bad. It does not make any sense and is suggestive of maladministration within IFI. In effect, what is occurring on the ground is that people with adequate vessels who cannot obtain licences are being set against people with inadequate vessels who can obtain licences. This does not make any sense. To hand over responsibility for policing the system to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority does not make any sense either. I urge the Minister of State to ensure that IFI operates a fair and transparent system and that people with adequate commercial sea fishing licences can obtain oyster fishing licences in a proper manner.

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