asked the Minister for Fisheries the number of applications received by his Department for the post of trainee fishermen which was recently advertised.

Two hundred and forty-five applications from eligible candidates were received in my Department for places in the course for the training of boys as fishermen commencing in September next.

For how many vacancies?

I will try to help the Deputy.

That is a generous gesture.

The Leader of the Opposition may not believe it, but I think the members of his party will know that I have on all occasions here at Question Time endeavoured in every way I can, from the information supplied to me, to help his Deputies, and they do need some help.

It is a simple question. It does not need such embellishment.

I can help the Deputy. If the Leader of the Opposition wants to put himself in more mucky water approaching an election, I cannot stop him. God help him and all who go with him.

Let us proceed with Question Time.

The Minister must have found some more transoms around the place.

I have had a few kicks myself and I have got over them. Two hundred and forty-five completed application forms were received from eligible candidates, boys of about 16 to 18 years of age, who are being interviewed at present at centres throughout the country. A panel of successful candidates in order of merit will be set up following these interviews. There are 30 places to be filled on the training course which is the number of students that the National Fisheries School can accommodate at any one time. In addition, 38 application forms were received from non-eligible candidates; 32 were too young and six too old. These candidates were not called for interview in the circumstances.

How long does the course take?

The training course is of 12 months' duration, consisting of a five months' shore course at the National Fisheries School, owned and operated by the Department, followed by seven months at sea on board selected fishing vessels.

And the remainder of those 245 have no hope of being appointed?

And Fianna Fáil are as usual at sea.