asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of salmon drift net licences granted for (a) County Kerry and (b) County Cork for 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Net Licences.
13.
During 1975 the number of salmon drift net licences granted for (a) the Kerry fishery district was nine and (b) the Cork fishery district was 134.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us whether this is an increase on the number of licences issued last year?
No.
Cork beat Kerry very well. That was a big score.
Was there any particular reason for the difference between the two?
If that question were asked in a serious vein I would answer it.
I am anxious to know why there should be such a significant difference between the two counties?
All licences now issued are issued under the Salmon (Control of Fishing) Orders. Certain criteria are laid down which all applicants must reach in order to secure a licence. I am sure the Deputies are aware of the nature of the regulations. In Kerry nine qualified. In Cork the number was 134. Of course, in other fishing districts the number is much higher. The Waterford board may issue up to 281 licences and the Letterkenny board up to 212. All the licences are issued strictly in accordance with the regulations laid down. I understand the Deputy has made a number of innuendos of late which he has not been able to substantiate. I hope he is not repeating that kind of——
Is that not very nice language from the Parliamentary Secretary? It is not suiting him too well to be asked these questions. How many applications did he have from the Kerry area and how many from the Cork area? In other words, how many were refused in both areas?
I have no information as to the number refused.
That has its own significance.
Question No. 14. Let us have the next question.
In view of the decline in our salmon stocks, will the Parliamentary Secretary try to reduce systematically the number of licences now available?
Our salmon stocks are very valuable indeed and reviewing of the position relative to salmon fishery is an on-going process. We are dealing with it from year to year. We are satisfied that the extent of the conservation measures at present in force are adequate but we do not know what will be the position in future years.