Gerry O'Sullivan
Ceist:19 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine if he will publish a White Paper on fish farming and aquaculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Development of Aquaculture.
Michael Creed
Ceist:96 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for the Marine if he will make a statement on the present state of confusion in the fish farming industry.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 96 together.
I am glad of this opportunity to once again emphasise the Government's strong commitment to the creation of employment through the development of aquaculture.
Estimated output from this sector reached a value of £30 million in 1989, with 850 full-time and 1,300 part-time jobs. This activity has a strong regional and coastal dimension and provides valuable income and opportunities for many communities where development options are otherwise extremely limited. We plan to bring output up to £70 million in 1991 and to have the employment up to 3,500 jobs.
We are satisfied that these targets can be achieved without disrupting other sectors and in accordance with the highest environmental standards.
We are now well advanced in the preparation of new mandatory Codes of Practice for the industry and will be shortly putting in place a comprehensive ongoing inspection and monitoring programme. I am satisfied that we will be soon in a position where it will be difficult to find any industry which is more closely regulated and monitored than the aquaculture sector.
All new proposals will where relevant come within the scope of the environment impact assessment procedure. Authorisation will only be given after due public notice, the full assessment of all objections made and comprehensive technical assessments by the professional and technical staff of my Department.
I would stress that as the licensing authority I am not going to be influenced in my judgment by orchestrated campaigns against the aquaculture sector. My judgments are going to be based on well founded scientific advice and the standards and procedures applicable generally to developments in this country. To adopt any other approach would, in effect, close off development possibilities in this and other sectors and undermine reasonable aspirations for significant employment growth in many regions.
As regards suggestions that a White Paper might be published, I have no plans in this regard at the moment. I will, however, be making statements on an ongoing basis regarding the implementation of the various proposals I have mentioned in this statement.