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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 8

Written Answers. - Roaringwater Bay (Cork) Shellfish Production.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

43 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine if he will encourage the further development of the industry in Roaringwater Bay, which has developed a fine reputation for the production of shellfish, in relation to category A status, completion of designation and licensing, and the building of a breakwater and pier.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

101 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine the reason there has been such a delay in completing the designation of Roaringwater Bay as an area suitable for shellfish farming; and if he will ensure that this is done without further delay so that licences can be issued to mussel growers, some of whom have been operating there with Board Iascaigh Mhara grant aid for over five years.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43 and 101 together.

I am fully aware of the importance of Roaringwater Bay as a shellfish growing area and of the considerable potential which exists for further development of the sector in the area. I am confident that through the provision by BIM of financial and technical services together with the provision of support in the marketing area, further investment, additional employment opportunities and further growth in output can be achieved in the sector.

In accordance with the terms of EC Directive 91/492 on the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of live bivalve molluscs, due to come into effect on 1 January next, a shellfish sampling programme is being undertaken by my Department with a view to finalisation, by December, of the classification of all areas, including Roaringwater Bay for shellfish culture.

With regard to the licensing of applications for aquaculture development in the bay it is my Department's firm objective to regularise, by the end of the year, the considerable number of applications on hands. This process, which involves the rigorous assessment of applications from technical and scientific perspectives and consultation with relevant local interests, is very far advanced.
There is no provision in my Department's current fishery harbour development programme for infrastructural improvements at Roaringwater Bay. However, this programme is being updated to cover the period 1993 to 1996, and to this end all relevant local authorities were invited to submit proposals for harbour works in the fisheries interest, for which they are prepared to make funds available. Cork County Council, in their submission to my Department, have included a proposal for the provision of a new pier and approaches at Roaringwater Bay at an estimated cost of £100,000. All proposals received are currently being assessed by my Department.
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