Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1990

Vol. 395 No. 6

Written Answers. - County Cork Salmon Farming Project.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

88 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by local people in Eyeries, Beara, County Cork in respect of a proposal to establish a salmon fish farm and the probability that the chemical Nuvan would be used as a regular part of the salmon farming activity and the consequential negative environmental impact which the use of such a chemical would produce; if he is satisfied that the environmental impact survey which is currently being undertaken will take fully into account the concerns and the local economic interests of the community in Beara; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

Submissions both for and against the development of a salmon farming project at Inishfarnard Island off the Beara Peninsula have been received by my Department. These were received following publication of, and the inviting of submissions on, the Environmental Impact Statement which the promoters were directed to commission by my Department under the relevant EC Environmental Impact Assessment Directive.

The Environmental Impact Statement which includes consideration of the socio-economic effects of the proposal on the local community, and the submissions received subsequently, are currently being examined by the technical and administrative staff of my Department who will report to me shortly.

Licences in respect of a pilot salmon farming project at the site in question were issued last December. The licences are of three months duration and limit production to 50 tonnes. Because the promoters wish later to produce in excess of 100 tonnes, the public consultative process already described in connection with the Environmental Impact Statement apply; and the question of further licensing of the project will only be decided following full consideration of the views expressed by interested parties in that context.

The use of Nuvan from time to time to control sealice in farmed salmon by the promoters at the site in question, would as is the case at all marine salmonid farms, be subject to the strict controls imposed by my Department. As I indicated to the House on 30 January Nuvan's active ingredient dichlorvos does not persist in the marine environment as it breaks down in seawater; and I would refer the Deputy to my reply of that date.