Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his answer, or rather the lack of one. I asked a specific question, namely, the number of licences issued since January 2007. The answer I got was 12 and three, or 15. I asked about the number of applications for new licences, renewals or reviews being processed and he said 254, when the figure is 260. When will the backlog be cleared? The Minister of State said it would be achieved as soon as possible.

At present, there are 20 companies in the Irish Salmon Growers' Association and their turnover amounts to €60 million. They produce 12,000 tonnes but it is not very long since they were producing 25,000 tonnes. The main reason for the decline is inaction regarding licences in the Minister of State's Department. On the Irish Trout Producers' Group and freshwater fisheries, the main issues of concern are licences, capital investment and research and development.

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