Vol. 427 No. 6
199 Mrs. Doyle asked the Minister for the Marine if there will be a public hearing held before any decision is made in relation to the proposed expansion of shellfishing at Bannow Bay, County Wexford in view of the differing opinions and the controversy in the locality concerning this matter.
In addition to the detailed technical assessment of all aspects of aquaculture proposals, there is a public consultative process inherent in the licensing system operated by the Department. There is an established system of consultation with the relevant statutory bodies as well as the system of public notice under which all comments and objections received are considered and taken into account.
If I conclude that a public hearing would elicit critical information which would not otherwise be forthcoming then I will not rule the option out. I am not, however, contemplating such a hearing at this time.
