andMr. Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries why a salmon fishing licence issued in 1974 to a person (details supplied) was not reissued to him in 1975 and 1976.

The control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1974, which governs the issue of salmon net fishing licences provides that the assessment of applications and the allocation of licences are matters for determination by each board of conservators and my Department have no function in the matter. From inquiry I understand that a licence was issued to the person in question for 1975. His application for a licence for 1976 was rejected on the ground that he was not qualified.

Can the Minister tell the House how it was decided this applicant was not eligible in view of the fact that he was considered eligible in 1974?

I understand the law governing this is the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order which states that, to qualify for a licence, persons should be able to prove in any year that the major proportion of their income derives from salmon fishing. This person is employed full-time otherwise, and he was disqualified on those grounds.

Do I take it from the Minister's reply that there was a change in the applicant's means from 1974 to 1976?

Apparently, because he had a licence in 1974 and 1975 and he was disqualified in 1976 on those grounds.

Is the Minister stating categorically that this was the only reason for refusing a licence in this case?

That was the ground of disqualification.