asked the Minister for Fisheries whether he proposes to make salmon licences available to fishermen with small boats in Connemara, County Galway.

The Connemara Board of Conservators are empowered to issue a maximum of 30 drift net licences. The criteria of eligibility for licences are set out in the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order 1977. The size of vessel proposed to be operated by the applicants is not a factor in the consideration of applications.

Is the Minister satisfied that it is possible under existing legislation for small farmers in Connemara who engage in fishing for part of their livelihood to get a fair crack of the whip in the issuing of these licences?

Yes, within the conservation limits, but the overall limitation in this and in every other area must be the necessity to conserve the stocks of salmon in the area. That is the important criterion because there is not much point in talking academically about fishing effort if there are no salmon.

Having regard to the serious implications for small farmers in the Gaeltacht, would it not be possible for the Minister to review the position while keeping in mind the question of conservation, which of course is of prime importance, but having regard also to the importance of farmers and others with small boats in this area getting their fair share?

I should hope that when the new regional boards are established on foot of legislation that will come before the House within this year, the question of small-farmer fishermen would be uppermost in the allocation of licences.

I should like to have an assurance from the Minister that no additional salmon licences will be granted either in Galway or in any other part of the country?

That is a separate question.

I trust the Minister will refrain from issuing additional salmon licences despite the great political pressure that will be brought to bear on him. The genuine drift-net fishermen are under much pressure now from people in the national press. The future of these fishermen must not be jeopardised.

The Deputy may not make a speech.

It has not been possible to have drift netting at sea on a regulated basis because of wholesale poaching.

The Deputy may not make a statement.

I want an assurance from the Minister in this regard.

The Deputy has that assurance.