asked the Minister for the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure an increase in Irish quotas for various species of fish to facilitate the Bord Iascaigh Mhara development plan for the four-year period between 1988 and 1991.

12.

asked the Minister for the Marine if his approval is required before the Revenue Commissioners issue licences for fishing vessels; and if he will outline the way in which it is proposed to meet the EC requirement of reducing fleet tonnage by 3 per cent on 1984 levels while, at the same time achieving an increase in fish landings from 218,000 tonnes to 405,000 by 1991, as proposed in the Bord Iascaigh Mhara development strategy for the seafishing industry 1988-91 with current quota restrictions applying.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 12 together. Sea-fishing boat licences are issued on the direction of the Minister for the Marine under the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1983. A fishing boat is not eligible to be registered with the Revenue Commissioners if it does not possess a licence.

The development plan for the industry prepared by BIM does not depend on increased quotas to fulfil its aims. The thrust of this plan is to exploit unused quotas for whitefish and prawns as well as increased landings of both demersal and pelagic species not subject to quotas, as well as shellfish. I have arranged for the Deputies to be furnished with copies of BIM's development strategy.