Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 December 2019
525. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to ensure that all unauthorised aquaculture activities in Ballyness Bay, County Donegal ceased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52933/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to ensure that infrastructure relating to unauthorised aquaculture activities in Ballyness Bay, County Donegal was removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52934/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra527. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date his Department was satisfied that all unauthorised aquaculture activities in Ballyness Bay, County Donegal were no longer taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52935/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 to 527, inclusive, together.
The activity of aquaculture on State foreshore requires an aquaculture licence and a foreshore licence in respect of the area occupied.
My Department is aware of previous unauthorised aquaculture activity in Ballyness Bay. Following inspections by my Department’s Marine Engineering Division, contact was made with the relevant operators where identification was possible. Following these actions by my Department, the unauthorised activity was discontinued.
However, I have requested my Department’s Marine Engineering Division to carry out an inspection of the Bay and to submit a report to the Aquaculture Licensing Division of my Department.
