Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This study has almost been completed, as we heard yesterday from Dr. Beamish, who dealt with aquaculture.

To summarise, we have heard today about the potential for angling and yesterday we heard about aquaculture. We are trying to establish a socioeconomic base for coastal and island communities so that they can have a viable way of life. The study that is taking place, when completed, will allow all potential activity, including wind farms, offshore oil and gas explorations as well as aquaculture, angling and so forth, to be assessed properly to determine whether it is suitable and appropriate for the location, based on scientific knowledge. The determination as to whether the activity could take place will be based on science. When the study is completed it will amount to an environmental impact assessment because it will indicate whether aquaculture of a certain scale is allowable and compatible with everything else that is happening on a site. That is the aim of this study which has been described, rightly, as a national asset. When this data is collected and finalised, we will have an invaluable asset. It should enable us to fast track some of the applications going forward. We are in catch-up mode at the moment and there is no doubt about that. Unfortunately we cannot do anything but try to catch up.

I thank Dr. O'Keeffe, Dr. Kelly and those who contributed earlier. Members have been given a flavour of what we are trying to do in this area. I think we need to make time for a submission on the island communities. We are not just interested in how this affects the coastal areas but also the island communities, who have other challenges to live with, by virtue of their isolation. Perhaps we can invite someone from the Department who deals specifically with the islands, if the committee members believe it would be helpful.

I thank everyone for their attendance.

The sub-committee will adjourn until 9.30 a.m. on Thursday, 28 March 2013 when we will hear from NGOs such as the Federation of Irish Fishermen, the Irish Fishermen's Organisation and Comhdháil Oileán na hÉireann and the IFA aquaculture group.