Vol. 392 No. 2
asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to establish a coastal zone management study in conjunction with the Department of the Environment in order to conserve and protect the Irish coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
41.
asked the Minister for the Marine if he has any plans to set up a coastal management resource strategy; the research his Department have done in this area; and if any definite proposals will be forthcoming in the immediate future.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 41 together.
It is my objective that the marine resources of the State should be exploited in a manner which is environmentally and economically sound and takes proper account of existing users and established rights. I intend to use the instruments and resources at my disposal to that end.
I think that the purpose of the management strategy described by the Deputies is to solve the problems of conflicting interest which arise in relation to the use of marine resources between developmental interests on the one hand and environmental and amenity considerations on the other. While I do not have any plans for the large scale advance exercises envisaged by the Deputies, my Department have a substantial capacity to evaluate particular proposals and their impact on the marine environment and other water users. In relation to aquaculture, for example, the Fisheries Act, 1980, provides for the formal designation of suitable areas following public inquiries held locally. The Foreshore Act, 1933, provides that projects involving use of the State foreshore — which for the purposes of the Act extends to the limit of the territorial sea — should be advertised locally in order to bring forward full information on potential conflict.
My Department have established administrative procedures to reconcile conflicts which may arise and to evaluate, in conjunction with project promoters, the level of environmental impact. This process is in some respects similar to the planning process operated on land by local authorities.
My Department also work closely with those local authorities which are drawing up water quality management plans under the terms of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act of 1977.
In addition to the processes which I have described, my Department carry out marine environmental monitoring programmes in the areas of sea fisheries, aquaculture and quality of the marine environment. While I am reasonably happy that existing processes are adequate given present demands for the proper management of our marine and coastal resources, different processes may become necessary as demand for the utilisation of these resources increases. As this happens, the adoption of different strategies may become desirable and this is something which will be kept under review.
I appreciate that all these facilities are available at present in the Department of the Marine but would the Minister not agree that what is happening at the moment is rather haphazard, that each application received is treated as an individual application, that there is a need to have a look at the entire coastal area and to decide in a planned way what is the most suitable development for respective areas? Rather than having a conflict of interest when individual applications are made would he not agree that there should be an overall strategy of the policy direction to be taken? In relation to the issuing of fish farm licences, does the Minister consider it appropriate to issue salmon growing licences in areas that are highly suitable for shellfish development, knowing that it would cause damage to shellfish areas? The Minister must consider this matter. There are also a number of wider areas to be considered——
I am afraid the Deputy's questions are becoming overlong.
This is a rather extensive area and a wide subject and there is a lot to be dealt with in it. In relation to the drawing of materials from coastal areas and the degree of coastal erosion that is taking place through natural processes and through persons taking sand and gravel from the coastal areas, what plans have the Department of the Marine for the entire coast?
I think I have outlined to the House the general strategy in my Department and the powers available to me in this regard, which are quite considerable powers. I think there is a separate question down about aquaculture, and particularly one in which the Deputy has an interest, which I will be answering later.
I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. I am aware that he has wide powers under the Fisheries Act and the Foreshore Act but would he not agree that, given the state of coastal erosion and the fact that no work is being undertaken at present in any part of the country in relation to protecting the coastline and also that most of his powers under the Acts mentioned are reactive, it is necessary that at this stage his Department and the Department of the Environment, together with the local authorities, would set up some committee or body which would be responsible for activating maintenance and drawing up development plans for the long term? Otherwise the Minister will only get involved and make decisions when requests come to him from the various local authorities or from private bodies. I would put it to the Minister that the present position is not good enough and that a coastal zone management study by his Department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, is long overdue.
I will take what the Deputy has said into consideration. I know the Department of the Environment have responsibilities in this area, as have the Office of Public Works.
In relation to the Minister's reply on protecting the Irish coastline, can he tell the House if his Department officials have prepared any legislation similar to the British legislation to protect the right of citizens to have access to the coast, particularly in the light of 1992 when private ownership of the coast by non-nationals is possible and access to the coast itself may be prohibited, and if he intends to bring the Irish legislation into line with other, for example British, legislation to put the coastline in public ownership?
The actual access to the coast falls under the remit of a different Minister but I understand precisely what the Deputy is speaking about because not today or yesterday but some decades ago problems have arisen through the purchase of sites near the coast by foreigners. I know that problems may arise in the future in that regard.
Is the Minister considering legislation in this regard?
Not specifically.
Is the Minister satisfied that at present he has adequate powers to deal with the four main types of damaging activity that is occurring around the coast, namely, coastal development which includes the in-filling and draining of marshes and the removal of sand and gravel, the discharge of toxic persistent wastes such as pesticides, the discharge of biodegradable wastes beyond the point at which the natural degradative system can cope, and over-fishing? Does he feel that at present his Department have the necessary powers to deal with these factors which are accepted worldwide as being the most damaging to our coasts?
I accept that the list the Deputy has read out contains most of the factors which are causing worry and anxiety among environmentalists throughout the world. With regard to some of them at least, I am aware that I have power, particularly with regard to the foreshore, but with regard to others the Deputy has mentioned I want to check what the position is and I will let her know. I can assure the Deputy that if there is any loophole in the law I will direct my attention to that and bring legislation before the House for the protection of the environment.
