asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry the total number of salmon drift net licences which can be issued by each regional fishery board for 1984; the changes that have been made since 1983; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The total number of salmon drift net licences which can be issued by each regional fisheries board in public fisheries in 1984 is as follows:

No changes in the maximum numbers allowed for allocation by the boards have been made since 1983.

Could the Minister give some indication of the situation in relation to Kerry drift net licences?

I am aware that 30 licences were issued in late 1982. Prima facie, the recent High Court decision in relation to these licences means, in effect, that the licences cannot be used in the designated area to which the former by-law pertained. The High Court has designated an area to which these licences cannot apply but that does not mean that they cannot apply elsewhere.

Have they been issued?

I do not know. I gave approval to the board to issue them because I was specifically asked to do so. Normally, the Minister is entitled to instruct the boards to issue a number of licences up to a certain maximum. I informed the south-western board accordingly and it is a matter for them to issue these licences.

In the event of the board not issuing the licences which they are legally entitled to do, what action can the Minister take? For instance, in the case of the Clare licences, five were not issued. Can the Minister take any action to request the boards to issue those licences?

Under the Act, my function is to specify the maximum number of licences which a board may issue.

As the Minister is aware, there is concern with regard to the areas where licences are available and where, for one reason or another, the boards have decided not to issue them. Could the Minister get in touch with the boards to ask them what the present situation is in relation to the number of available licences which are not being issued and why they are being withheld?

I shall endeavour to do that and the Deputy will be interested to know that the number of licences issued this year is 20 less than were issued last year.

I know of a number of genuine cases where licences have been refused. Can they appeal that decision to the Minister?

No.

Would the Minister consider introducing legislation which would require the fishery board to issue a set number of licences, the number to be determined annually by the Minister, rather than leaving discretion to the boards who, in the main, are comprised of people who would be opposed to sea drift netting?

I am totally opposed to that suggestion — and I hope the Deputy agrees with me — because of the fluctuating nature of salmon stocks which differs from year to year. While a board may see fit to issue X number of licences this year, they may see fit to issue X minus ten or X plus ten as the case may be next year. Therefore, it would be wrong to restrict boards to a set number of licences because of the fluctuating nature of salmon stocks.

Surely the Minister could exercise that function in determining whether there should be a fluctuation in the number of licences issued? I am sure the Minister is aware that the majority of the members on fishing boards are mainly opposed to drift netting for salmon in the sea and the representation for salmon drift net fishermen on the boards is a very small percentage of the overall membership on those boards.

A long debate took place in this House when these boards were being initiated and it was decided in the interests of fishing that they should be so comprised. I agree with the Deputy but that is the position.

We cannot have a policy discussion at Question Time.

The Minister stated that the number of licences depend on salmon stocks. What facilities have the boards to determine salmon stocks?

That is another question.

It arises from the Minister's reply.