asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make a statement on his policy on the further development of fish farming; and the steps he is taking in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fish Farming.
10.
My policy in relation to aquaculture is, in the broadest sense, to maximise its contribution to the task of national recovery in terms of output, jobs and exports in a manner which is consistent with the maintenance of a clean environment. The principal measures which I am putting in place in order to achieve this objective include:
—the provision of a sound legal frame-work for the development of the industry through the designation of areas for aquaculture under the Fisheries Act, 1980, and the licensing of projects within those areas consistent with their ecological carrying capacity;
—co-ordination under the aegis of my Department, of the activities of the two principal State agencies, Údarás na Gaeltachta and BIM, in order to get the best effect from State aid in the sector; and
—liaison with the EC Commission in order to maximise assistance from that source for the development of aquaculture and liaison with the industry to ensure that applications to Brussels are properly presented and supported.
The aquaculture development strategy announced yesterday as part of BIM's plan for the years ahead is a key element in the developmental programmes of my Department and it may be of interest to the Deputy.
We were extremely disappointed in 1987 with the funding for aquaculture from Europe and both myself and the Minister made our disappointment abundantly clear at the Council of Minister's meeting in Europe at that time. As a result of our efforts, during April of this year we received £0.9 million. I can say no more to the House other than that we will receive an amount substantially higher than that before the end of this year and I believe this is as a result of the steps which we took at that time, through the talks we had with the Commission and by impressing on them why they should inject more money into aquaculture in this country.
Of course there are the social and economic implications involved in so far as aquaculture can be developed along the seaboard in an area where there are no alternative sources of employment. Within a short time of assuming office we determined exactly what the Commission would require in relation to information. We drew up detailed guidelines which we presented to the industry. We brought officials from the Commission to Ireland. They visited many parts of the country during last year. They inspected all sectors of the industry — such as salmon farms, oyster farms, mussel farms and small production units. Without being bombastic about it, it is my belief that all of these efforts will bear fruit in the very near future.
Is the Minister aware of the grave concern on the part of many people about the effect of smolt rearing in those lakes and rivers which are a source of public water supply, where there are also valuable inland fisheries stocks? The Minister spoke about the ecological-carrying capacity — which is a matter of concern to many people — and that judgment in this matter might not necessarily be based on accurate information because it is a developing science. Is the Minister aware that there have been experiences abroad of serious pollution caused to lakes and rivers because of such fish farming activities? Would the Minister address himself to that problem, informing the House of his views and what steps he is taking to protect these waters?
Deputy Molloy may not be aware, I think most other Members are, of statements made by the Minister both inside and outside the House that at no time will wild fisheries be affected. The Deputy may be referring to Loughnafooey——
Licences have been issued already.
——at which we are looking very closely. It was absolutely essential that planning permission be obtained for this project from Galway County Council. That application was rejected and has been resubmitted to An Bord Pleanála. The decision in that regard was taken by the previous administration on 10 November 1986. It is important that the House be aware of that decision in the cases of Loughnafooey. Were it not for the fact that we insisted that planning permission was required possibly it would have slipped through before we assumed office. I have said frequently that we will ensure at all times that the rights of traditional sea harvesters are protected and that the environment is protected, too. I have no doubt that when the relevant spokespersons are afforded an opportunity they will welcome the launch of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara's programme announced yesterday. The House will be aware that there will be thousands of jobs coming on stream as a result of our efforts.
(Interruptions.)
We have done more in the past year and a half than the previous administration did in the course of their term of office.
Does that mean that, in the light of the examination by his Department, there is a possibility that additional fish farming development will take place in fresh water lakes in the west?
He has never denied it.
So far as commercial lakes are concerned, certainly there will be no such development. However, no Member would agree that there is a lake in any part of the country in which there is no fish. The Minister has made it abundantly clear that, so far as commercial fishing is concerned, it will not be affected.
Would the Minister give his exact definition of a commercial lake? Would he list the various categories of lakes and what is the approach of his Department to those lakes as defined by him? For example, do his Department intend to allow additional fish farms to be developed in all our lakes and rivers?
That is not the position. However, it was the position under the Deputy's colleague in the previous Administration.
Would the Minister define what he means by lakes?
We are now being accused of this.
Would the Minister please answer my question?
I might wish the Deputy well in her new brief but while she may have been appointed her party's spokesperson on the Marine she was not appointed Ceann Comhairle.
(Interruptions.)
Order, please.
Run for cover.
Let us have order, please. Let us hear the Minister of State.
There will be——
(Interruptions.)
If the House will not listen to a reply let us have the answer to Question No. 11.