Would the Minister confirm that in terms of licensing his Department have suspended for the time being the issuing of licences for the commissioning of new trawlers? Could he indicate to the House what proposals he or his Department have with regard to the decommissioning of trawlers as they leave the fleet?

The question raised earlier related to beamers and not to the general question of licences. Reports issued as recently as today suggest that there is a complete embargo on licences but each case will be considered individually. Suggestions made by people in the industry regarding the embargo are mischievous and obviously have been made for political reasons.