Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if an application has been received in his Department for a pot fishing licence by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; the date the application was received; the decision made; if the decision was appealed; the grounds on which a licence has not been granted to date; if the application is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6784/07]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The function of the Licensing Authority for sea-fishing boats was transferred under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 to the Registrar General of Fishing Boats. The Act provides that the Licensing Authority is independent in the exercise of its functions under the Act, subject to the law for the time being in force and policy directives in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing.

The Registrar General has informed me that his files show that the individual applied for a sea fishing boat licence under the scheme for the Licensing of Traditional Pot Fishing Boats in June 2003. He was refused a licence under this scheme as he did not satisfy the criterion "the applicant must not have or had a vessel licensed or registered on the Irish Fishing Boat Register since January 1990 other than in the Specific Segment".

The Applicant appealed this decision and the Independent Appeals Officer refused his appeal. The applicant must apply for a standard fishing boat licence should he wish to fish commercially.