Aquaculture Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 September 2013

Thursday, 26 September 2013

Ceisteanna (210)

John Halligan

Ceist:

210. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the guidelines and parameters that have been set down by his Department to govern the oyster and mussel collection by a company (details supplied) at Woodstown Beach, County Waterford; if any restrictions have been placed on this company in relation to bringing heavy machinery onto the beach; the regulatory checks carried by his Department in relation to the irrevocable damage and destruction being caused on the beach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40166/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The company referred to by the Deputy is in receipt of a consent to operate under Section 19A (4) of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 in respect of oyster cultivation at specific sites in Woodstown Bay.

Aquaculture operators subject to this Section may continue to operate, subject to the terms and conditions of their aquaculture licence, pending a determination by the Minister on their renewal application. The terms and conditions of the licence set down the specific conditions under which the relevant aquaculture may take place.

It should be noted that licences issued under the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act are also subject to all other lawful regulations governing activities in the area in question, including bye-laws, where applicable.