Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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349. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to the two ongoing reviews of fisheries policies in his Department on mackerel allocations and on fleet capacity, the date on which he will make a decision on the fleet capacity submissions in view of the fact that the mackerel consultation impacts only 2.5% of the entire fleet and the fleet capacity consultation impacts 100% of it; if he will ensure that the resourcing of the two review processes reflects the true impact of each review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33363/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In relation to the Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Policy, 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.

As Minister I have responsibility for policy in relation to sea-fishing boat licensing under Section 3(3) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, as amended by Section 99 of the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. In this context, and as referred to above, Section 3 of the Act makes provision for Ministerial Policy Directives to issue to the independent Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats. I am, however, precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to individual cases, or a group of cases, with which the Licensing Authority is or may be concerned under Section 3(5) of the 2003 Act.

I received proposals from a Producer Organisation (PO) which, in summary, relate to the possibility of reducing the requirement to provide 100% replacement capacity with the relevant track record to 80% (the balance being sourced from capacity without track record). I undertook a public consultation process on these proposals and made a consultation paper available which set out the background to fleet policy and carried out an analysis of the current situation. The consultation paper examined the implications of the proposals made by the Producer Organisation and also put forward alternative options. This consultation ended on 28 February 2017.

26 submissions were received in this regard and they are currently being examined. I will carefully consider, following any further analysis needed, the case for amendment(s) to current licensing policy taking into account the submissions received. I will have my conclusions published on the Department's website, as early as possible.

In relation to resources, on the Review of Mackerel allocation policy between the fleet segments, I can inform the Deputy that within the Seafood Policy and Management Division of my Department, the work involved is being undertaken, with a range of other responsibilities, by one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer, one Higher Executive Officer and one Executive Officer and is being overseen by one Assistant Secretary. During the consultation period for this review, 318 individual submissions and 35 representations were received.

Work on the Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Policy within the Seafood Policy and Management Division is being undertaken, with a range of other responsibilities, by one Principal Officer, one Assistant Principal Officer and one Higher Executive Officer and is being overseen by one Assistant Secretary. One Clerical Officer has also assisted in this work.

I am satisfied that sufficient resources have been allocated to the work arising from both reviews.