asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will review the allocation of salmon drift net licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Salmon Drift Net Licences.
14.
The maximum number of salmon drift net licences which each board of conservators may issue is prescribed in the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 1977. The various measures for the conservation of our salmon stocks have been settled for 1980 and, while I am keeping these measures under review, I do not propose to alter the maximum number of drift net licences which may be issued.
Is the Minister aware of the very serious discrepancy in the issuing of drift net licences, particularly in regard to Kerry fishermen?
I have been made aware that the number of drift net licences in the Kerry area has for some time been quite small.
It is not fair that the Minister and his Department should expect Kerry to carry the conservation can for the whole country.
The Deputy was in a better position to take up that matter some years ago with one of his colleagues.
Is the Minister aware of the promise which he made during the Committee Stage of the Fisheries Bill earlier this year that drift net licences would be issued on a more rational and fair basis than at present? This would seem to be in contradiction of his reply to Deputy Begley.
I see no contradiction in the fact that we carry out conservation measures which have been enforced until such time as we believe that they should be relaxed. The time to grant more licences will be when we are assured of the fúture of our salmon fishing industry.
I did not raise the matter of conservation or the issue of extra licences. I asked the Minister whether he will live up to his promise to see to it that there is a fairer distribution of the existing number of licences.
This matter must be considered in the context of conservation and the manner in which licences are issued.
Is the Minister aware that many of these licences are being rented out by people who get them year after year and do not use them? Does the Minister consider this to be a fair situation?
I am not so aware and if the Deputy will give me some concrete evidence I will look into the matter.
(Interruptions.)