Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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264. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the replacement capacity rule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40088/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 introduced a new fleet licensing policy aimed at ensuring equity, transparency and introducing an independent appeals process. The Act transferred the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing to the Licensing Authority for Sea-Fishing Boats which operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in section 3 of the Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. As Minister I am unable to engage on specific licensing issues, as I am precluded by law from influencing individual licensing issues. Fleet policy is set under section 3(2) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 as amended by section 99 of the Sea Fisheries Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 by means of fleet policy directives. The Act specifically states that I, as Minister, am precluded from exercising "any power or control in relation to any particular case or group of cases with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned".

The Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation has recently made proposals in relation to replacement capacity in ring fenced fisheries. As time permits following the conclusion of the Fisheries Council this year, I will examine this proposal and the potential impacts. This process will involve inter-alia, discussions with industry, an impact analysis, and if the proposal seems appropriate, a full public consultation. The procedures as set out, based on previous experience, are likely to take some significant period of time before a final conclusion is reached.