asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of salmon fishing licences granted by the boards of conservators in County Donegal for the 1973 fishing season and for the 1974 season to date; and if he will make available the names and addresses of the licensees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Fishing Licences.
93.
Presumably the Deputy is referring to salmon net licences as distinct from rod licences. During 1973 the two boards concerned, that is, the Ballyshannon and the Letterkenny Boards of Fishery Conservators issued 469 net licences. So far this year it is understood that the Ballyshannon board have granted 135 net licences but that the Letterkenny board have not allocated their licences. It is not the practice of boards of conservators to disclose the names and addresses of licensees.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary indicate to me the number of the question to which he has replied? I called Question No. 95.
The number of this question is 93.
This is actually the question the Parliamentary Secretary is answering. Question No. 93 was not answered until now.
Yes, indeed, we passed over Questions Nos. 93 and 94.
Question No. 93 was not answered until now.
Allow the Chair to deliberate on this matter, Deputies.
Can we not ask a supplementary on this question?
This is the right time to deliberate this matter. I have just answered Question No. 93.
The Chair has arrived at Question No. 95 and called that question.
We have only just finished with Question No. 92. The Parliamentary is now answering Question No. 93.
The last question I answered was No. 92 and then I answered No. 93. I have just read out the reply to that question.
We must have deliberated very long on that question. The Chair assumed that Questions Nos. 93 and 94 had been answered.
No. Question No. 92 was answered and Question No. 93 has just been answered.
There were quite a number of supplementaries on Question No. 92.
Question No. 93 refers to the number of salmon fishing licences granted by the board of conservators in County Donegal. I correctly gather from him that the Letterkenny board have not yet, to his knowledge, issued any licences?
During 1973 the two boards concerned, the Ballyshannon and the Letterkenny boards of Fishery Conservators issued 469 net licences. So far this year it is understood that the Ballyshannon board have granted 135 net licences but that the Letterkenny board have not allocated their licences this year.
In relation to the non-issue of any licences so far by the Letterkenny board would the Parliamentary Secretary inquire why refusals for applications for licences in the Letterkenny board issued weeks ago? If the refusals have issued surely it follows that the selection of those successful must have already been arrived at? Why has this not been conveyed to the Parliamentary Secretary?
In the Letterkenny fishery district net fishing does not get under way until later in the year. Possibly before issuing any licences they are reviewing all applications. I am assuming that the Letterkenny board will issue the licences on a particular date.
While I think the Parliamentary Secretary is failing to disclose the actual position in regard to the Letterkenny board I would like to ask him why he refuses to publish the names of those to whom licences are issued? These form an electorate for the appointment of members to the board. Should it not be possible to find out who comprises the electorate?
I have stated that it is not the practice of boards of conservators to disclose the names and addresses of licensees.
Has it ever been done?
I would be quite prepared to have a look at that again. It did not matter too much at the end of 1972 because net licences were available for £3 a time but now that there are rigid regulations to be complied with possibly the assertion of Deputy Brennan that the names should be made public is quite a reasonable one. I will have it examined in that light.
I think the Parliamentary Secretary should send me a copy of the names anyway.
Are we agreed that Question No. 94 has been dealt with?
No, Question No. 94 has not been dealt with.
Question No. 94.