Will the Minister explain why his Department have refused licences to young people who want to buy new boats? There appears to be no prospects of these young people buying boats and there appears to be an embargo. People have been told that directly by the Department.

Deputy Taylor-Quinn possibly got her information from "Morning Ireland". I have an account of the meeting which took place in our Department last Friday. Irrespective of who is in office, under the Fisheries Acts it is the Minister of the day who is empowered to issue a licence. We look at every application on its merits. If there was an application at present for a mackerel licence, I must tell the Deputy I consider we would be doing a disservice to the industry if we issued such a licence. We look at each specific application and the type of fish whether it is demersal, pelagic or non-quota species.

Mr. McGinley rose.

I have dwelt overlong on this question to the disadvantage of all the other questions.

Now that the issuing of further licences is brought into the political domain what criteria will be used in granting new licences? Will it be the size of the boat, a new boat, a secondhand boat? What other criteria will be applied?

I am surprised at my constituency colleague. The pattern has not changed. It has always been the same. If the Deputy wishes to familiarise himself with the criteria I can provide him with the Acts which stipulate that Minister Daly, and previous Ministers decide who receives licences. It is a matter for the Minister at the end of the day.