asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the number of drift-net licences granted by his Department in County Kerry and in County Cork in each of the years 1972-73, 1973-74, 197475 and 1975-76.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drift-net Licences.
18.
The number of drift-net licences issued by the board of conservators in each of the years 1972-76 in the Kerry fishery district was 5, 9, 9, 9 and 9 respectively and in the Cork fishery district 244, 182, 127, 134 and 134 respectively.
Why were so many licences granted in County Cork? Was it due to the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary represents that area? Why were so few licences granted in Kerry? Have Kerry fishermen been discriminated against? Would the Parliamentary Secretary state if the stocks of salmon have become depleted as a result of so many licences being issued in County Cork?
The opposite is the case. In fact, the percentage increase on licences issued by the Kerry board is 80 per cent. So far as Cork is concerned, in the period covered by the question the reduction is more than 40 per cent. In 1972 five drift-net licences were issued by the Kerry Board of Conservators. Under an order by the previous Government not more than five could be issued but under the order I made that number was increased to nine. In the Cork district where 244 licences were in operation in 1972 before regulations were made, the number was reduced over the years by 109 down to 134. I am sure the Deputy appreciates the position so far as part of the Kerry coast is concerned. There is a bye-law in operation since 1913 and, strangely enough, no change was made since that time. This precludes fishing for salmon from Crow Head to Dunmore Head, including the Blaskets. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that there are four additional licences in Kerry as a result of my being in office instead of Deputy Fahey.
The Parliamentary Secretary must realise and accept that nine licences are not adequate for County Kerry. Fishing gear was confiscated from two or three fishermen in Dingle who were salmon fishing——
Will the Deputy please put a question? We cannot proceed on those lines.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that recently fishing gear was confiscated from two fishing boats because the people concerned were fishing for salmon? This was due to the fact that there are only nine licences granted for County Kerry. It is not fair that only nine licences have been granted.
There were no restrictions in 1972 and when licences could be freely purchased only five applications were made from this district. Even though it does not bear on this question, if people who were fishing illegally were apprehended by the Kerry board, the board have my full support.
Is it not obvious to the Parliamentary Secretary that Kerry were doing a job of conservation when fishermen in Cork were left with open lines? The result is that our stocks have been depleted.
Will the Deputy please put a question?
The two comparisons made by the Parliamentary Secretary do not mean a thing.
May I repeat again that when there were no restrictions and when licences were freely available 244 licences were issued in the Cork fishery board district which comprises mainly the coastal line of County Cork, and only five licences were issued in County Kerry. The number of licences issued in Cork has been reduced by 109. As I stated previously, the percentage increase in County Kerry is about 80 per cent; the number has increased from five to nine. People in Kerry have not a grievance so far as the recent orders are concerned.
We were trying to conserve our stocks.
I have called Question No. 19.