asked the Minister for Fisheries the present position concerning the development of the oyster beds at Clarenbridge, County Galway.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oyster Bed Development.
11.
I hope to be in a position to sign the oyster fishery order sought in relation to this oyster fishery within the next few weeks.
Could the Minister inform the House why it is taking so long for the signing of this order? His Parliamentary Secretary informed the deputation approximately two years ago that the order would be signed, and it has not been signed yet.
In May, 1972, the Clarenbridge Oyster Co-operative Society, Ltd, applied for an oyster fishery order under section 256 in respect of part of Galway Bay. This Department considered that the granting to the society of the oyster fishery order sought had merit, because the assignment by order to a named co-operative society of fishermen, and the direct control and management of this important public oyster fishery would be likely to result in more effective conservation of the fishery by tighter control of illegal fishing, particularly the removal of under-sized oysters.
The necessary statutory public inquiry into the society's application was held in Clarenbridge on the 20th December, 1972, and no objections were raised to the granting of an order. Following full consideration the Parliamentary Secretary, my predecessor, directed that an oyster fishery order be made in favour of the Clarenbridge Oyster Co-operative Society, Ltd, subject to the rules of membership of the society being amended to provide that membership of the society shall be open to all residents of the State, to all companies registered within the State under the Companies Act and to all societies registered in the State under the Act, and that membership of the society shall not be refused any such resident company or society which complies with the society's rules. The society was notified of this requirement on the 21st April, 1975, and on the 3rd November, 1975, they confirmed that they had so amended their rules.
The Fisheries Division then put in hand immediately the finalising of the order. However, the order differs fundamentally from previous oyster fishing orders in that it effectively transfers to a private group, that is, the society, the control of an important, widely-worked public oyster fishery. In order to protect this public right as far as possible, the Fisheries Division obtained legal advice on various aspects of the matter and included them in the draft order as necessary. I would take it that all that is the cause of the delay.
Since 1975?
Since 1972 and since 1975, yes. My position is that I shall sign the order within the next few weeks.
It is about time.