asked the Minister for Fisheries if he will increase the number of salmon drift net licences issued in the Bangor board area of County Mayo in order to facilitate the number of applicants wishing to fish for salmon.

In view of the necessity of conserving our salmon stocks, I do not propose to increase the maximum number of drift net licences that the Bangor or any other board of conservators may issue.

Would the Minister accept that a more equitable distribution of licences would appear to be necessary? Ballina board are giving 108 licences and Bangor board are giving only 25 licences. Would the Minister accept there appears to be some need for a more equitable distribution of licences?

Each area is not exactly the same size nor has it the same opportunity for drift net fishing. I think an equitable distribution was made. However, I will look into it for the Deputy.

Would the Minister accept that in this area you have a number of inshore fishermen who do not have—they have small craft—an opportunity of going after other types of fish and they depend on lobster and salmon to supplement their earnings and, for that reason, there is necessity to have more licences supplied in this area?

I must ask the Deputy to accept that his point that every area should be taken one against the other as equal and the same number of licences issued does not stand up because one area can be very much larger than the other.