asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) in County Wexford is the holder of a moneylender's licence, and, if so, the reason his name was not included in the list of licensed moneylenders given in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 589 of 13 December 1984.

The person in question is currently the holder of a moneylender's licence. He did not, however, hold a licence at the time of the reply to the question referred to by the Deputy.

Can the Minister explain how the person in question could say in Wexford Court that he was the holder of a moneylender's licence for a number of years and the district justice renewed that licence on 14 September?

I appointed out that on 13 December last the Deputy asked me for a list of persons holding moneylenders' licences. The name of the person to whom the question refers was not on the list at the time as he did not then hold a moneylenders' licence. An application was received since then and that person is now on the list.

Will the Minister say what is the function of a district justice in renewing a licence? Does he give the licence or does the Minister? What is the procedure for getting a licence and when did he have one before?

Applications for renewals of licence have to be made to the District Court. Normally the licensing year ends on 31 July. The application for the renewal of a licence in this case was not received by the collector of customs and excise at Waterford until 22 January 1985.

Is the Minister aware that in the District Court in September last the person concerned admitted having taken a children's allowance book in return for a loan and that according to the Minister for Social Welfare on 12 February——

That seems to be another question.

It is connected with the renewal of a licence to the same individual.

I understand there is another question about that on the Order Paper.

There is a penalty of £2,000 for this offence. Can the Minister explain how this man's licence was renewed?

I am afraid I am not in a position to comment on decisions made in court. However, I can assure the Deputy that if he thinks——

Question No. 149 deals with this case in connection with the social welfare book.

I do not wish to refer directly to that aspect. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that if he believes there is cause for worry or further action in this case and if he wishes to give me further details along the lines he has indicated I will be very happy to follow up on the matter.