Vol. 453 No. 2
44 Mr. J. Walsh asked the Minister for the Marine the plans, if any, he has to ensure the orderly development of the Bantry Bay Resource, County Cork, in view of the investment in reopening the Whiddy Oil Terminal and the harmonious development of the growing mussel industry in Bantry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7403/95]
The proposed reactivation of the Whiddy Oil Terminal has implications for the marine resource in Bantry Bay including safety of navigation, the marine environment, the important mussel growing industry in the area and fisheries.
These issues are being addressed from all relevant perspectives in the context of the Department's consideration of the application made for additional leased foreshore by Bantry Terminals Ltd.
The application is currently being examined in detail by the Department's Marine Licence Vetting Committee (MLVC), a multi-disciplinary team comprising biologists, chemists, engineers, marine surveyors and administrative personnel. Submissions received following recent advertisement of the foreshore application are also being considered by the relevant technical scientific and administrative personnel.
The overall objective is to ensure that all marine related development in Bantry Bay is balanced, compatible and sustainable and that all necessary safeguards are put in place to protect the marine resource and the interests of all users of the resource.
