Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for selecting this Topical Issue matter. I welcome the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, to the Chamber to debate this very important issue. I appreciate the very heavy workload he has at present with regard to CAP reform in Brussels, and I appreciate him taking the time for this matter.

I accept the bona fides of the Minister with regard to this project, the job creation potential of projects such as this and the potential for growth in the organic salmon industry. I am sure the Minister is aware of the concerns expressed locally in a march last Saturday and in communications we have had in recent months. Bord Iascaigh Mhara, BIM, and local angling groups have made presentations to local authorities in Galway and have met a number of Oireachtas Members including me. Their concerns are numerous and include the effect sea lice would have on native salmon and trout smolts in the Spiddal, Cashla, Costello, Kilcolgan, Clarinbridge and Corrib river systems. There are also concerns regarding fish escaping from such a large salmon farm which will have more than 7 million salmon at its peak, and regarding pollution and the impact on local angling. Connemara and Galway are renowned for their angling, with Lough Corrib being the largest lake in the Republic, and it is a hugely important industry for us.

I mo thuairim, tá ceisteanna fós le freagairt maidir leis an bhfeirm éisc seo. Má théann sí ar aghaidh, beidh sí mar cheann de na feirmeacha éisc is mó san Eoraip. Tá a fhios agam go mbeidh poist á gcruthú, cé nach bhfuilim cinnte cé mhéid, ó thaobh próiseála agus is maith an rud é sin. Tá imní, áfach, ar iascairí agus ar chomhlachtaí iascaireachta faoi thruailliú, faoi mhíolta mara agus faoi impleachtaí ar éisc fhiáin. Teastaíonn freagraí ar cheisteanna ó ghrúpaí iascairí ó Chonamara agus ó Ghaillimh chomh luath agus is féidir.

The board of Inland Fisheries Ireland has indicated concerns about the location and scale of the proposed salmon farm and how its development and operation could impact on wild salmon and sea trout stocks and their habitat. These concerns are based on scientific reports by respected authors and knowledge of the impact of existing fish farms on salmon and sea trout populations off the west coast of Ireland. Sea lice would have devastating effects on wild salmon, as they account for up to 39% of salmon mortalities according to recent peer-reviewed international scientific literature. Concerns have also been expressed about the associated loss of jobs in the recreational angling and tourism sector if the development proceeds without adequate environmental protections being in place.

I call on the Minister to publish the responses from BIM to his Department with regard to the queries and concerns of local groups about the environmental impact statement. We need transparency in all issues and in this case it would allay fears and concerns and allow local groups, anglers, individuals and Inland Fisheries Ireland know exactly what BIM is applying to do before any decision is made. I appreciate the Minister and the Department will ultimately have to make the decision. I understand they will receive advice or a lead opinion from the Irish Marine Institute but it is important the responses to the scientific facts are known and presented.

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