Vol. 511 No. 5
38 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the steps, if any, being taken to deal with the reported illegal occupation by a fishing company of part of Inver Bay, County Donegal; if he has received a warning that legal action could be initiated against his Department if action is not taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24728/99]
My Department had already taken steps to secure the removal of eight salmon cages placed in Inver Bay without the necessary licences before a third party warned that legal action could be initiated against my Department if action was not taken.
My Department has secured the removal of five out of the eight salmon cages and has been assured by the firm in question that, weather permitting, all of the remainder, two of which are empty, will be removed as quickly as possible after completion of harvesting, now in progress, of the mature fish in one of the cages.
In the circumstances, legal action is not called for.
