John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with the call signs which are mandatory for the allowance of owners to purchase safety beacons with regard to the difficulties encountered on licensing of hundreds of small boats; if, in view of the delays in providing the VHF courses, the difficulties for private boat owners to arrange a private radio course and the prohibitive cost associated with it, he will extend the deadline date in March 2005 for a number of weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6423/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's reference to licensing relates to the scheme for the licensing of traditional pot-fishing boats in the Irish inshore fleet. The implementation of this scheme is a matter for the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003. This Act provides that the licensing authority shall not grant a fishing boat licence unless an independent survey of the boat confirms that it is safe and seaworthy.

I understand from the licensing authority that last July, letters of licence offer were issued to the successful applicants under that scheme, specifying the conditions to be complied with in order for their boats to be licensed, including the requirement that the boats comply with the code of practice on the safety of fishing vessels less than 15 m in overall length.

Radio regulations governing all sizes of fishing vessels were introduced in 1998. All fishing vessels must comply with the requirements of the Fishing Vessel (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998 and are surveyed in accordance with the Fishing Vessel (Radio Installations Survey) Regulations 1999. The enforcement of these regulations is carried out by the marine survey office of the Department, which inspects vessels to ensure they are complying with the safety standards laid down.

While Bord Iascaigh Mhara provides radio courses, there are also a number of radio courses provided by private operators in the market which comply with the code of practice guidelines and regulations. Ensuring the safety of both the vessel and its crew is the paramount issue and I urge all fishermen to take the responsible approach to ensure that both radio equipment and the requirements regarding the training of radio personnel are fully complied with.

The licensing authority set a deadline of 11 March this year for compliance with all the conditions of the licence offer. This deadline was set having regard to European Community requirements that the licensing and registration of all fishing boats be completed as soon as possible. I understand from the licensing authority that where applicants have difficulty meeting this deadline due to the practicalities of arranging necessary training and securing the required radio competency certification, the authority will allow some extra weeks to give them an opportunity to comply with the requirements of the code of practice. However, it is not in a position to grant a substantial extension due to the need to ensure that Ireland complies with European Community requirements on the registration of fishing boats.