Vol. 491 No. 7
100 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the position on the granting of the offshore licence at Codling Bank in Dublin Bay; the measures, if any, he will take to address the serious consequences of damage to fish stock and the consequences to the livelihood of Howth fishermen and persons generally employed in the fishing industry at Howth Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13249/98]
The extraction of sand and gravel from a small area of the Codling Bank for essential coast protection works at Bray, County Wicklow is not scheduled to begin until 1999, that is only after the putting in place of major revetment and rock groynes on the foreshore at Bray. Both aspects are covered by foreshore licences which were granted, after very careful consideration, to Bray Urban District Council.
I met representatives of the fishermen on 2 June and had a very fruitful discussion about their concerns and the way forward. They have agreed to participate in a liaison committee, which I am establishing, with representatives of my Department, the Marine Institute and Bray UDC, to address matters of concern to the fishermen in good time before extraction begins and also while extraction, proceeds. I have also asked my Department to clarify as quickly as possible for the fishermen detailed aspects of the proposed extraction, including site management and extraction methods.
