asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the number of salmon draft net licences issued during the past five years in the Dundalk area; the number allowed in that area; if the licence quota was fully taken in 1984; and if licences which have not been taken up in the current year will be allocated to unsuccessful applicants.
Written Answers. - Salmon Draft Net Licences.
487.
The maximum number of salmon draft net licences prescribed for the Dundalk fishery district since the 1981 season is 40. Prior to that the maximum number prescribed was 48. Following are details of the numbers of licences issued each year since 1980 by the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board in respect of that fishery district.
|
Year |
No. of licences issued. |
|
1980 |
37 |
|
1981 |
40 |
|
1982 |
40 |
|
1983 |
26 |
|
1984 |
40 |
As can be seen all available licences were issued in 1984. Normally successful applicants are required by the relevant board to pay their licence duty within a reasonable period following notification of allocation. Some boards reallocate licences if the successful applicants do not pay their licence duty within a reasonable period. The allocation of licences is a matter for the fishery board concerned and there is no statutory obligation on any board to reallocate licences not taken up.