Michael Creed
Question:11 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Energy the consultations, if any, which he has had with the ESB regarding the scaling down/closure of the fish hatchery at Carrigandrohid, County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork Fish Hatchery.
As a result of the Government decision that the ESB should withdraw from their fish farming activities at Poulaphouca, the ESB informed me that they will soon remove all their fish cages from the Lee reservoir and from the Shannon at Parteen. I have not had any further discussions with the board on the matter.
Would the Minister not accept that Salmara dispute the grounds under which they were initially forced to close Poulaphouca and subsequently felt obliged, in the interests of consistency of policy, to close all other fresh water fish hatcheries? In regard to Carrigandrohid, is the Minister aware that Cork County Council, the statutory body with responsibility for monitoring the environmental effects of that hatchery, are quite satisfied with the operations at Carrigandrohid? That is something the Minister could clarify if he wished but maybe in his endeavours to ingratiate himself with the anti-rod licence group——
Please Deputy Creed, let us stick to the substance of your question.
It is very pertinent to the question.
Deputy Creed, please obey the Chair. I will allow brief supplementary questions relevant to your question on the Order Paper and nothing else.
There are now 15 jobs at risk at Carrigandrohid by virture of the fact that on spurious environmental grounds the closure is now going to take place. Would the Minister now intervene to ascertain the factual position with regard to the threat which, it is alleged by his Department, is posed to the environment?
The Government's decision related solely to Poulaphouca and was taken because of the Government's concern to ensure the maintenance of the existing good water quality standards at the reservoir which serves the greater Dublin area. It was the Government's opinion that it was not appropriate that the ESB should continue to have intensive fish farming activities located in the major reservoir supplying the greater Dublin city area. I understand from public reaction that there was wide scale public support for that decision by the Government.
The other part of the Government's decision at that time was to establish a working group to examine all fresh water fish farming activities in both the public and private sectors. It was arranged that the ESB would participate as members of that working group but, quite separately, they made their own decision to withdraw from other locations where they had fish farming activities. They did not do so on the direction of Government or on any direction from me; they made their own decision in the matter.
I find it very difficult to accept the Minister's abdication of his responsibility with regard to what has happened Salmara because it is a direct consequence of what happened at Poulaphouca. The people in Salmara have said they feel——
Questions please, Deputy Creed.
Would the Minister intervene to ascertain the position as stated by the statutory body with responsibility for monitoring the environmental impact of that operation? If he finds they are quite satisfied with the operation, which I believe is the case, would he issue instructions to Salmara not to proceed with the closure?
Is the Deputy supporting the continuation of intensive fin fish farming activities at Poulaphouca?
The question relates to Carrigandrohid.
I am not answering questions but the Minister has an obligation to answer them.
I would suggest that the Deputy await the outcome of the working group established by the Government.
Could the Minister ascertain the environmental position with regard to the operation?
Deputy, please resume your seat.
This is doing a Pontius Pilate on 15 jobs in Carrigandrohid.
The words "Pontius Pilate" should not be used in that manner in this House.
The Minister should not abdicate from his responsibilities.
The closure of the Parteen hatchery relates to my constituency. Is the Minister aware of the substantial contribution made to the wild salmon stock of Ireland by the Parteen hatchery? Would the Minister tell us now, so that I will not get confused, having heard a reply from the Minister for the Marine here the other day, what are the terms of reference for this working group and will the Minister tell me its membership?
This question relates to the fish hatchery at Carrigandrohid, County Cork. I will have no widening of that question.
I am only asking for the terms of reference of the group that has been set up.
If I have the information I will give it to the Deputy. The Deputy asked who constituted the group. They are representatives of the Departments of the Marine, Environment, Energy, Health and the ESB to consider the environmental impact of fresh water hatcheries on fish farming.
Would the Minister agree that this question is ambiguous in that Deputy Creed has referred to a fish hatchery? Surely what Deputy Creed should have said was that these are cages to keep smolts for fin fish farming in the sea. Would the Minister confirm that that is the situation?
The ESB have the hatchery activities and the Poulaphouca decision related to the cages that were in the Dublin reservoir at Poulaphouca.
A final question.
There is no ambiguity about it. Carrigandrohid is well and truly far removed from the sea. Whether or not the cages are in operation is another consideration. When does the Minister expect to have a report from the Committee he has set up?
Can we have the terms of reference?
The working group have been asked to report as soon as possible. It is important that they get time to make a very comprehensive analysis of the whole question. I am sure that all sides of the House will agree that there is great public concern and that the issue requires great examination so that we can put in place a proper national policy in this area, rather than allowing the present situation to continue.
Question No. 12, please.
Would the Minister intervene to ascertain if the factual position is as stated by the statutory body with responsibility for monitoring the impact of that fish cage, in order to ascertain whether we are to submit to prejudice and ignorance with regard to the impact, or whether we will make a decision on an informed basis?
The decision with regard to the Cork facility was not made by me and it would be more appropriate if I referred the Deputy's request to the working group and I will be happy to do that.