Salmon Lice.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 June 2004

Wednesday, 2 June 2004

Questions (163)

Eamon Ryan

Question:

155 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his Department was aware of reports that lice levels in the Killary Salmon Farm area in County Galway in February 2004 were greatly in excess of the levels permitted under the licensing agreement and under State protocol; the action his Department has taken on the follow up to such reported levels; and the enforcement action that has been taken by his Department in its role as licenser for salmon farms in this particularly sensitive area. [16682/04]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (Mr. D. Ahern)

As I indicated in my reply to the Deputy's Questions Nos. 183 and 184 of 4 May 2004, my Department and the Marine Institute have been actively engaged with the operators of the fish farm in question in dealing with the elevated levels of sea lice that were detected there. This work is ongoing and all necessary and appropriate steps will be taken to deal with the matter. If there was a failure on the part of a farm operator to comply with relevant requirements for the control of sea lice or to co-operate in taking the action necessary to control lice levels, the question of taking action against the operator would fall to be considered.

Question No. 156 answered with QuestionNo. 153.