I thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for the opportunity to raise this matter and I thank the Minister for coming in to reply. This problem relates to Carlingford Lough which straddles the Border, with County Down on one side and County Louth on the other. There is a good aquaculture industry in this area, with the farming of oysters and mussels. In recent years there have been problems on the lough in that a number of ships from outside this jurisdiction entered the lough and hoovered up mussels before leaving — the position with oyster farming is different. This matter has been raised on a number of occasions in this House.
The problem relates to an area from Carlingford to Omeath and involves a number of applications currently before the Department for the farming of certain areas in the locality. Under the Foreshore Act, 1933, there is provision for the Minister to hold an oral public inquiry to hear applications for licences along the foreshore. In view of the previous problems that have arisen in the area, particularly in the farming of mussels, I ask the Minister to consider favourably my request. It is the wish of the vast majority of applicants in this business, who have previously met the Minister on this, that an oral public inquiry be held so that they can put their arguments and hear the views of other people who have applied.
As the Minister is aware, a number of local people in the Carlingford area, whose families have been involved in mussel farming for many years, applied to his Department for a licence some time back and were told they would have to form a co-op. They subsequently formed one and their application is before the Department. I do not want to prejudge a public oral inquiry, but there is disquiet and conflict in the area similar to that existing between the supermarket industry and the small corner shop. The locals who formed that co-op are trying to make a living out of mussel farming in the area and are seeking to do so on the shores in their locality. There is potential for large commercial operators within and outside the State in this area and such non-national operators using foreign crews and boats registered outside the State have applied for licences. It is important, because of that and the existing conflict, that the Minister accede to my request and allows a public oral inquiry.
Carlingford Lough, situated close to the Border, is unique. There is great co-operation between oyster fishermen and a successful co-op is being run between the North and the South with the aid of international funds, one of the greatest marine success stories as regards North-South co-operation. I fear there may be some ill-feeling in the general locality of Carlingford Lough on both sides if the foreshore licence along the southern side, particularly regarding mussel farming, is not dealt with properly by the Department. I am sure I speak for a number of people on the northern side in that there is concern that the large commercial operators are given preference over small local ones. I am sure the Minister will say that is not the case, but I ask him to consider that aspect and accede to the request for a public oral inquiry.
Mussel farming involves local jobs and if those people were not engaged in that occupation, they would probably be on the dole. Recently, two of the fishermen, Fergal and Eugene McKevitt, who were part of that co-op, met their deaths tragically on the lough. The fact that they were out on the lough shows that they, their families and many families in that locality have been involved in such farming for many years.
The Government has jumped on the bandwagon of openness, transparency and accountability. Because of that the Minister should accede to my request, be open and transparent and make his Department accountable to a democratic process allowable under the legislation.
