Vol. 514 No. 2
49 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the damage to the local fishing industry that would result from the removal of 400,000 tonnes of gravel from the sea-bed off Dunmore East which is being sought by certain commercial interests; and his views in this regard. [3733/00]
The Deputy will be aware that a local firm applied to my Department for a foreshore licence to allow for the extraction of sand and gravel from a site off Waterford Estuary. The application was subject to a full EIS and full public consultation took place.
Having considered the application, the objections to the proposed extraction, the company's response to the objections and the technical and scientific advice available to my Department, my Department has entered into negotiations with the company regarding the terms and conditions of a foreshore licence which may issue in the future.
The conditions being suggested by my Department are designed to minimise the impact upon fishing and, in particular, to protect white fish, herring and lobster. However, the area concerned, approximately 655 hectares in size, is relatively small compared to the potential spawning grounds of the Celtic Sea which has far more extensive areas of clearer water deemed more suitable for spawning of herring.
