Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ships licensed for the carrying of livestock out of Ireland for live exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32339/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity of the ships that are licensed for the shipping of live exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32340/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1488. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications in the system for ships to be approved for carrying live exports out of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32341/20]

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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1489. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the capacity of the ships that have applied for licences to carry live exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32342/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1486 to 1489, inclusive, together.

In relation to vessels dedicated to the transport of livestock from Ireland, there are currently four vessels licensed by my Department. The capacity of these vessels depends on the particulars of the consignments being shipped in terms of the size of the animal being transported. To approximate, the smallest of these vessels has a pen capacity of 2760m² andcan carry up to 2,100 animals weighing 400kg each per shipment. While the largest of these vessels has the capacity to carry up to 2,900 such animals with a pen capacity of 3,910m².

In relation to the licensing of new ships, any applications for approval are assessed in the normal manner by contacting the Department to arrange inspection of the proposed vessel. My Department will continue to facilitate ship operators and exporters regarding inspections of any new vessels as needed.