Vol. 397 No. 2
3 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for the Marine the number of applications at present with his Department seeking fish farming licences; the proposed location of each; and the various levels of examination which have been done to date on each application.
44 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if he will list the number of licence applications which are currently awaiting processing with respect to fish farming.
(Limerick West): I propose to take Priority Question No. 3 and Oral Question No. 44 together.
My Department have on hands approximately 600 expressions of interest in relation to mariculture undertakings. The processing of these, some of which would be of a very tentative nature, is at various stages. The regional distribution of these applications is very broadly as follows: east 40, south east 35, south 150, south west 100, west 100, north west 150, and central 25.
As Deputies will be aware, the process involved in the assessment of and final decision making on licence applications is rigourous and can take some time to complete. Applications are assessed from the various technical perspectives by the relevant experts in my Department. In the case of signficant finfish projects, this process includes assessment of the environmental impact statement which promoters are statutorily obliged to submit and to make available to interested parties. In addition, consultation takes place with relevant interested parties, including, among others, local authorities, fisheries boards, and the Commissioners of Irish Lights. All objections made are thoroughly investigated. Applications are then submitted for my consideration.
This is a time consuming process which places a high demand on scarce administrative and technical resources. The Government's environment action programme which announced allocation to my Department of £200,000 in 1990 for additional staff and resources has as its objective the bringing of all projects fully within the licensing and control regime at the latest by the end of 1991.
I would note that in the past a number of projects went ahead on an informal basis in advance of formal licensing procedures being completed. I have now instructed that this practice be discontinued, and officials of my Department will be pressing ahead with the task of licensing existing operations as soon as possible as well as coming to grips with most existing applications and any new ones which may come to hand.
I thank the Minister for his detailed reply. My question was intended to deal with the number of applications for finfish farming rather than aquaculture in general, leaving aside the shellfish development. Can the Minister tell us exactly the number of applications on hand for sea trout and salmon fish farming around the coast?
(Limerick West): I do not seem to have that information but I will arrange to have it passed on to the Deputy. The only thing I can say to her is that the licensing system, as she knows, has been seriously backlogged and most severely so on the shellfish side where about 500 applications are outstanding. BIM are now engaged in compiling the necessary technical data in underpinned designation proposals.
As the Minister undoubtedly is aware of the conflict that arises between tourism interests and fish farming interests and the environmental problems that can follow, can he tell the House what action he proposes to take to bring more order into the situation as it exists and to introduce some formula by which the various parties can operate together on a more co-operative basis rather than on a contentious basis? Can he guarantee the House that in the course of processing all future applications the 1981 fisheries legislation will be applied rather than the 1959 fisheries legislation which is the older Act? I think it is very important that in all cases local people——
I am obliged to say time is fast running out for priority questions.
I want to get an assurance in relation to the applications for fish farming licences around the coast that up-to-date legislation will be used rather than the old legislation in view of the contention that has arisen in various parts of the country because there is no provision for an inquiry or a public hearing locally. Will he give an assurance to the House that in future there will be a hearing locally in relation to all applications for fish farming licences?
(Limerick West): I would like to reply to the first part of the Deputy's question. There are 100 finfish applications outstanding. There is a number of options available under existing legislation. My concern is to ensure that the most appropriate option is used in each case. Where significant finfish projects are concerned I will insist on the giving of public notice, the conducting of environmental impact assessments and making them public, the giving of ample opportunity to the making of objections and thorough professional and scientific assessment of all objections. Therefore, there will be an in depth study and investigation of all applications and every opportunity will be given to the public to make their contribution with regard to these applications. All the options that are available to me will be considered.
Will the 1981 legislation be used rather than the 1959 legislation?
I am sorry, Deputy. The time available for dealing with priority questions is now exhausted. I am proceeding to deal with other questions.
