asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will approve the application of a person (details supplied) in County Galway for a licence to fish for eels in a lake-gap on Lough Corrib on Annaghdown, County Galway.

46.

asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry when permission will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Galway to fish for eels with fyke nets on Lough Corrib, County Galway.

(Cavan-Monaghan): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

With a view to expanding the catch of eels from Lough Corrib my Department have issued eel fishery authorisations under the Fisheries Acts to the persons named for the use in the Lough of fyke nets by both persons and coghill nets by one of them.

Additional to the authorisations an eel fishing licence is required from the Western Regional Fisheries Board for each of the eel fishing engines and applications for the necessary licences should be addressed to that body by the persons concerned.

Why was there such a delay in granting this licence and why was it given only up to 22 or 23 October and not for the full season?

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am not aware of any delay.

There was a delay of 16 months.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I know that the Deputy would not blame me for all of that. Perhaps there is somebody sitting quite near him who knows more about it.

I do not think it is any Minister's fault. I think there is some choke in the system that the Minister should do something about.

(Cavan-Monaghan): There should not be a 16-month delay. If there is I will look into it.

The remaining Questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.