Vol. 574 No. 1
127 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to have a final report on the large Inver Bay fish farm mortalities in summer 2003; if he will make this report public; and if he has been informed of other similar mortalities in recent months. [26345/03]
146 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he has received the final report of the investigation into the massive fish kill at Inver Bay, County Donegal, during July 2003; the findings of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26268/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 146 together.
When reports were received last July that significant levels of fish mortalities were being experienced by salmon farms in Inver Bay, County Donegal, I immediately mandated the Marine Institute to carry out a comprehensive investigation of the situation. An extensive process of investigation and analysis has been undertaken in the meantime by staff of the Marine Institute and other experts engaged by it. I am advised that this work relating to Inver Bay is now at an advanced stage and will be finalised in the near future.
Since the investigations regarding Inver Bay were initiated, it came to light that significant mortality levels had also been experienced over recent months by certain other fish farms along the western seaboard. Accordingly, I asked the Marine Institute to broaden the scope of its investigation to look also at what has happened at other locations. As the investigation in ongoing, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage. However, it is my understanding that the Marine Institute is planning to issue an interim report in the coming weeks, focusing in particular on the Donegal Bay salmon mortalities. It is my intention that both the interim report and the final report of the investigations will be made public.
