asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will indicate in respect of the South Western Regional Fisheries Board for 1982 (a) the closing date for receipt of applications for drift and draft net licences; (b) the number of applications received; (c) the number approved for issues; (d) the number issued to date; and (e) if licences were issued to and late applicants; and if he is satisfied that the licences were issued in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Under the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1980 the closing date for receipt of completed application forms for drift and draft net licences for 1982 in the South Western Fisheries Region was 30 November 1981.

In respect of the 1982 salmon fishing season: 79 applications for draft net salmon fishing licences and 166 applications for drift net salmon fishing licences were received by the board; 73 draft net salmon fishing licences and 111 drift net salmon fishing licences were approved for issue by the board; 69 draft net salmon fishing licences and 98 drift net salmon fishing licences were issued to date by the board; licences were issued to some late applicants.

I have no evidence that the criteria laid down in the Control of Fishing for Salmon Order, 1980 for assessing the eligibility of applicants for salmon net fishing licences have not been complied with by the South Western Regional Fisheries Board in 1982.

I have been given the figures for almost all applicants other than late applicants. The Minister told the House that there were some late applicants and I should like to know if he is in a position to give me further clarification about that.

I do not have that information in my brief.

Would the Deputy give the figure to the Minister because that might help him to answer the question? The Minister of State has told us he does not have the figures but I understand the Deputy said he has the figures.

The Deputy said he does not have the figures.

I gave the Deputy the figures for drift net and draft net licences issued this year.

The most important part of the question relates to late applicants and all the Minister of State can say is that there were some. It is funny that when a question is asked the Minister does not have the information.