Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012
371. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sites off the west coast that are proposed to be developed as offshore fish farms; the scientific assessment of the environmental impact that has been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55135/12]
View answerBord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently being considered fully in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the1933 Foreshore Act as amended.
As consideration of the application and EIS is ongoing by my Department in accordance with the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the EIS pending a determination of the application.
My Department has also issued a Site Investigation Licence to BIM in respect of potential sites off the Mayo coast. I also understand that BIM is currently engaged in preliminary work with a view to a possible application for a Site Investigation Licence for an area off the coast of Donegal.
