Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Fisheries Protection.

David Stanton

Ceist:

132 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the matters discussed during his meeting with the Cobh Fishermen's Association; the action, if any, he has taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8079/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

The meeting to which the Deputy refers was held on 9 February 1999 at the request of the Cobh Fishermen's Association, CFA, and the Cork Lobster Fishermen's Co-op. In addition to the representatives of both groups, the meeting was attended by Mr. Frank Doyle of the Irish Fishermen's Organisation and Deputies Michael Ahern, Coveney and Stanton.

As the Deputy may recall, the meeting addressed various concerns which had been expressed by the CFA and the Lobster Fishermen's Co-op regarding proposed further dredging of sand and gravel required as backfill material in the construction of the Lee Tunnel.

During the meeting, I explained the assessment process which would be applied to the proposed dredging operations. The submission made by the fishermen had been referred to the company engaged in building the tunnel for its comments. Their response and the fishermen's submission would be carefully considered by the Marine Licence Vetting Committee, a multi-disciplinary expert group which assists my Department in assessing proposals of this kind.

I confirmed that the overall volume of material to be extracted under the proposal would not exceed the total catered for in the original licence. In addition, in order to minimise any environmental effect on the fishery, the company had agreed to a dredging site which was located over 800 metres from the scallop beds.

I undertook to let the fishermen know of my decision in the matter and in doing so would indicate the consideration which had been given to their submission. I also undertook that in the event of the proposal being approved, I would provide details of any conditions which had been included in the terms of the licence to meet their concerns and minimise or eliminate any impact on the fishery. I hope to be in a position to announce a decision shortly.

The delegation also inquired as to whether the research vessel of the Marine Institute had carried out any surveys of fish stocks in Cork Harbour and I advised that they should approach the Institute directly in the matter. I also said that if they felt there was a need for other surveys to be undertaken, they should make proposals to the Marine Institute.