asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if he has received an application in respect of a large tanker ship to be anchored in the outer Galway Bay area for use as a salmon fish farm; if so, if he will give details of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Salmon Fish Farm Licence.
95.
An application for such a licence has been received by my Department and is currently being examined. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be proper for me to disclose details of individual applications.
The application will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure prescribed in section 54 of the Fisheries Act, 1980, which provides that I may, by order, designate areas within which it shall be lawful to engage in aquaculture pursuant to a licence to be granted by me under the Act. Prior to the making of a designation order in respect of an area it may be necessary to hold an inquiry at which evidence may be given by any interested person or body or submissions relevant to the matter may be made to my Department. A decision whether or not to designate an area is then made on the basis of all available evidence.