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

I do not think people should be criticised for ambition. If this project is doable, we have an obligation to consider it. If it does not make sense from an environmental or management perspective or because of sea lice or other technical issues, I will not allow it to proceed. A high bar must be crossed to get a licence for a project of this scale, or anything around salmon farming, because we have a gold-plated licensing system for aquaculture.

In regard to the exposure, I understand the benchmark for levels of exposure is the Clare Island site. The salmon farm there is well run and is considered to have levels of exposure with which we could work. Other sites in open water with the same or lower levels of exposure have been explored.

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