asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of applications for salmon licences received for 1976 from (a) Ballinakill Board of Conservators and (b) Galway Board of Conservators; and the number that were successful.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Licence Applications.
22.
I presume that the question relates to drift net licences. As I have previously informed the Deputy, the numbers of applications for drift net fishing licences for the 1976 season received by the Galway and Ballinakill Boards of Conservators were 71 and 40 respectively. Thirty-eight of the applications to the Galway board and all 40 to the Ballinakill board were successful.
Could the Minister state the reasons why so many of the applications to the Galway board were refused?
A further note I have here says that the quota of drift net licences for the Ballinakill fishing district is 47. For the 1976 season 40 applications were received and all have been allocated licences. The quota of drift net licences permitted for the Galway fishery district is 38. For the 1976 season 71 applications were received and the full quota of 38 licences has been allocated.
Would the Minister state what are the criteria laid down for the granting of drift net licences?
Does the Deputy mean the criteria for deciding on the quota?
No, how a person qualifies to get a licence.
I cannot give the particulars. All I can tell the Deputy is that in 1972 the quota of drift net licences permitted for the Galway district was only 25. Therefore, it has been substantially increased since 1972, and I believe the restriction is an effort to operate some sort of conservation.
Is the Minister aware whether applicants must be full-time fishermen before they are given a drift net licence?
I cannot give that information to the Deputy but I will have it supplied.