asked the Minister for the Marine if, in any decision he is contemplating regarding the area from St. John's Point to Ballybodonnell, County Donegal, being designated for aquaculture, the view of the local inhabitants and fishermen will be considered.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - County Donegal Aquaculture Development.
9.
Our policy in the promotion of aquaculture is to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that aquaculture develops in harmony with other water users and not in conflict with them. I am considering the designation of two areas at St. John's Point to facilitate the expansion of the thriving — and economically beneficial — aquaculture industry in the area. Tourist and fishing interests will be respected.
Can the Minister say if the Department have received representations from the local fishermen expressing concern about the implications of any designation of the area for aquaculture? Have the Department received any submissions from local inhabitants expressing concern about the effects on the environment of such a development?
We have received correspondence from the fishermen's organisation and local people expressing concern about the project. We received a good deal of correspondence from the UK and the Six Counties.
Will the Minister say if those representations will be given serious consideration? I understand that a public inquiry regarding the initial applications has been held and that the weight of evidence was against designating the area for an aquaculture industry. Is it intended to hold another public inquiry in view of the intention to designate the area for aquaculture?
In August 1986 the Minister ordered a public inquiry into the designation of the area for aquaculture. The inquiry was held in Killybegs and the initial part of the proceedings was rather acrimonious. The report which was made available to the Minister, dealt with Inver, St. John's Point and McSwyne's Bay. In February 1987 the Minister appointed to the Department immediately after the general election, my immediate predecessor, decided that Inver Bay should be designated. The public inquiry covered all of the area, including that referred to by Deputy McGinley, St. John's Point. We do not think it is necessary to hold a further inquiry because at the earlier inquiry we ascertained all the relevant information. Those concerned about the designation expressed their views at that inquiry. The main problem in aquacultural development is fear of the unknown and people should be made aware of what is involved. We have received letters of concern from the various people. A decision is imminent in relation to the designation and all of the concerns were taken into consideration. I can tell the House that the area I am proposing is smaller than the area for which the applicants applied.
Mr. McGinley rose.
The House must agree we are making very little progress on questions to the Minister for the Marine today, to the detriment of all the other questions, This is not good enough.
One final supplementary, please. Will the Minister meet the inhabitants and the fishermen before a final decision is made?
I respect your views a Cheann Comhairle and I do not want to detain the House. I assure the Deputy that, as happens in all other cases I have read all the letters in relation to this matter. As late as last Sunday morning, out in the elements at 9.30 in a place called Edeninfragh, with which the Deputy is well aware I had an opportunity of meeting a number of people and telling them the precise position, that a decision was imminent, and that, depending on what the decision is, there are other avenues open and that neither the Minister nor the government of the day have the last say.
Question No. 10. I would ask the Members present to help me expedite Question Time today.