Clare Daly
Ceist:168. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Bord Iascaigh Mhara, as the proposed licence holder, will underwrite any damage or claims for escapees from fish farms. [14398/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 26 March 2014
Ceisteanna (168)
Freagraí scríofa
An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department in 2012. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.
The assessment process will take full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.
There is always a strict separation between my Ministerial role as decision maker in respect of aquaculture licence applications and my Ministerial duty to promote the sustainable development of the industry. This separation of duties is strictly observed.
As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.