Fish Farming

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014

Tuesday, 11 February 2014

Questions (516)

Noel Grealish

Question:

516. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way it is proposed to treat any outbreak of amoebic gill disease at the fish farm project proposed by Bord Iascaigh Mhara in Galway Bay, given that the environmental impact study published by BIM makes no reference to amoebic gill disease whatever and as the treatment of AGD requires large amounts of fresh water; the amount of water that would be required to treat the proposed farm at maximum capacity; where this fresh water would be sourced from; the reason it was not referenced in the EIS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6780/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The application referred to by the Deputy is currently under consideration by my Department in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act. The consideration process will include a detailed assessment by my Department’s expert advisors on all aspects of the application including environmental considerations and fish health.

As the application is under consideration as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on it at this stage.