Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The problem is that the Deputy does not listen and does not want to hear the actual truth. He would much rather create division between people.

I would like to reassure Members in regard to sea lice. My Department's policy on sea lice controls is strictly evidence based. The control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State and are more advanced than those operated in any other jurisdiction in the European Union. The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry. Data obtained are a result of inspections and they are published fully regularly. We have treatment trigger levels that are set very low by international standards. Therefore, we have deliberately put in place a gold standard in regard to the treatment of lice because of issues that arose in the past that had to be addressed in policy.

There is no moratorium on the development of salmon farms but the licensing system to facilitate salmon farms is rigorous. It will continue to be rigorous, regardless of the applicant, be it Bord Iascaigh Mhara or anybody else. I strongly defend the entitlement of Bord Iascaigh Mhara to use its initiative in trying to develop the seafood industry with a view to creating jobs. This is the thinking behind what it is doing. Whether it gets a licence is an entirely different issue on which I must make a very independent decision.

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