Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 4

Written Answers. - County Waterford Shellfish Cultivation.

Austin Deasy

Question:

34 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine if he will ensure that the fishermen in Passage East, County Waterford are consulted in relation to the cultivation of shellfishing at Woodstown Strand as was previously promised. [6259/95]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Coveney)

A total of six applications have been lodged with the Department for licensing permissions to engage in osyster growing at Woodstown Strand.

It is an integral part of the licensing assessment process that all such development proposals are publicly advertised so as to provide an opportunity for interested persons or groups to make objections or representations in respect of licensing applications. All comments lodged on foot of this public notice process are rigorously assessed by the Department and inform the ultimate decision-making process on licensing applications.

I can assure the Deputy that the views of local fishermen in Passage East, which were conveyed in writing to the Department in response to a public notice of 5 May 1994 seeking comments relating to one oyster cultivation proposal, will be taken into account fully prior to finalising a licensing decision for the application concerned.

I am advised that my predecessor gave a commitment to the Deputy in response to a parliamentary question on 29 June 1994 that the Department would be happy to facilitate a meeting with local fishermen should they wish to make their views known on aquaculture licensing at Woodstown Strand.

I am further advised that this meeting offer has not been taken up to date by local fishermen. While the offer still stands, I should advise the Deputy that the consultative process must be brought to finality shortly.