The Government's licensing system for fishing vessels may be "depoliticised" under a review planned by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern.
An independent appeals system may also be established as part of the review, details of which are due to be announced today by the Minister.
The sole power of the marine minister to award or cancel licences has long been a bone of contention within the fishing industry, and has led to situations where individual vessel owners have had to lobby politically to guarantee obtaining a permit. There has been no appeals mechanism for those applicants turned down.
It was a factor in the controversy over government support for the 144-metre supertrawler Atlantic Dawn in that its owner required the backing of the former minister, Mr Frank Fahey, on regulatory matters. Some skippers objecting to this move were afraid to speak out for fear of jeopardising their permits.
The supertrawler, built for international waters, has now been given permission to fish within EU waters and has already exercised this right off the Irish coastline.
The commitment to a review of the licensing system was made in the Programme for Government.
Mr Ahern is due to outline three measures today. These include the establishment of a review group, chaired by a senior officer of his Department and comprising departmental and industry experts, to make recommendations to him before December 31st on future policy on sea-fishing vessel licensing; preparation of legislation to establish an independent appeals system for sea-fishing vessel licensing as quickly as possible; and the formal delegation of sea-fishing vessel licensing functions under the Fisheries Acts to a senior officer of his Department, who will be the licensing authority.
This delegation of functions will be subject to existing policy, and the current system is expected to continue to apply pending the outcome of the review.
However, an interim non-statutory arrangement will be put in place before the formal setting up of an independent appeals system which will allow for appeals by applicants.
