Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 640: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose previous fishing licence allowed scallop fishing, special authorisation was provided to indicate the reason the new licence issued recently excludes scallop fishing; if this decision will be reviewed to allow for scallop fishing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19710/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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All fishing boat licences issued by the Registrar General of Fishing Boats since 31st January 2006, are issued under the Ministerial direction of the Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Policy — Policy Directive 1/2006.

This policy directive clearly states that in relation to the ring-fencing of the scallop fleet within the specific segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet. "The ring-fenced scallop fleet will comprise of vessels that have carried out a scallop targeted fishing activity for at least 50 days at sea in the two and a half years to 30 June 2005".

The individual concerned has not met the conditions set out for the ring-fencing of the scallop fleet within the specific segment. The individual concerned has raised the issue of his scallop entitlement and has requested the Department to review his vessel's eligibility. The completion of this review has been delayed pending the determination in relation to an appeal for the decommissioning of the vessel.

The licence issued to the individual on the 9/6/2006 for the period 01/07/06-30/06/07 was issued under Policy Directive 1/2006, and though not specifically mentioning the preclusion, issued on that basis. The most recent licence issued to the individual on 20/07/07 for the period 01/07/07-30/04/08 was also issued under Policy Directive 1/2006, did specifically mention the preclusion for clarification purposes.