asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that non-EEC vessels can register in Ireland to fish; and the steps he proposes to take in this matter.

43.

asked the Minister for Transport the number of third country boats registered in (1) Ireland and (2) other EEC member states.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 43 together.

Under the Merchant Shipping and Mercantile Marine Acts, entitlement to register vessels in Ireland is confined to the following — (a) the Government, (b) a Government Minister, (c) an Irish citizen, (d) an Irish body corporate, that is a body established under and subject to the law of the State and having their principal place of business in the State, and (e) citizens or bodies corporate of States which are declared by the Government to be reciprocating States; at present these comprise Britain, Canada, New Zealand and Pakistan.

There are at present on the Irish register four fishing vessels in which parties from non-EEC member states are known to have an interest. I can give no information in regard to vessels registered in other states.

The control by licence of fishing in Irish waters, as distinct from registration of vessels, is exercised by the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry under the Sea Fisheries Act, 1952.

Could I ask the Minister to give details of the four vessels to which he referred? Are they Spanish vessels?

Yes, three Spanish vessels and the fourth is Norwegian.

I have a particular interest in these Spanish vessels. Could the Minister explain if they are registered here in Ireland or licensed to fish here in Ireland?

They are registered here in Ireland.

With the permission of the Minister?

No. Under present Irish law there are no specific requirements and you can register a vessel here in this country.

Can any number of Spanish vessels register here without any restriction?

Under Irish company law at present they can, but of course they must obtain a licence to fish from the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. It might satisfy the Deputy if I tell him that the three vessels he mentioned are intended to supply a factory in Castletownbere and the fourth is for training Irish fishermen.

So there are no restrictions from the point of view of registering but there is a restriction from the point of view of a licence.

All registered fishing vessels in this country must fish in accordance with a licence issued by the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry.

The remaining questions will appear on next Wednesday's Order Paper.