John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 554: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food his views on allowing those applying for a fishing licence to pay for their annual licence in monthly instalments in view of the economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18037/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing were transferred from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats, which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the Licensing Authority. The head of the Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats who is a senior official in the Department. The Registrar General has advised me that there are no charges or fees for the issue or renewal of a sea fishing boat licence.