Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also want to ask about the process agreed with DG Environment to address the issues in the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union. In particular, I refer to the environmental impact of industrial-scale fish farms and how the concerns around that are addressed. Part of the process involves the National Parks and Wildlife Service setting conservation objectives.

The area I am from has a bountiful river for salmon fishing, the River Moy. I do not know if I heard it at the committee or elsewhere, but I have often heard IFI concerns about fish farms and the possibility of escaped farmed salmon carrying lice and disease and interfering with the breeding patterns of wild salmon. Indeed, a farmed salmon was found on the river. There appears to be some contamination in the wild. The IFI has expressed concern and it is the body which is charged with the conservation of wild salmon. On the other hand, the Marine Institute does not seem to be as concerned about it. Who takes precedence? Who decides what is a priority and what balance should be struck? How does the National Parks and Wildlife Service arrive at a determination on priorities?

How are the rights of traditional seaweed harvesters being accommodated, recognised and protected or, indeed, limited in the licensing process? Many concerns have been raised about the rights of people with a long-standing tradition of cultivating and cutting seaweed from the shore.

I should have added the following to my first question.

I refer to the situation with onshore as opposed to offshore fish farms. I understand the former are environmentally preferred. What are the pros and cons there and why is it not the natural choice? Is it simply a matter of cost?

We have talked about marine harvest and we have objectives here for aquaculture. That is what the Department is dealing with. It gives out licences so that we can hit targets in this strategic economic activity in the food sector. On the other hand, an issue which is coming more and more to the fore involves the Government's objectives on renewable energy. That will include marine energy generated from waves, tides and, possibly, offshore wind. The Government is looking at the possibility of providing support tariffs to offshore wind. I know solar is up. With reference to the Department's aquaculture licensing function, how does it reconcile competing interests? Is there a de factomarine spatial strategy? To what extent will there be conflicts of interest as we move more towards offshore renewables, for which there is a greater public appetite than for onshore renewables? Has that been considered at all?