Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Local concern about Bantry Bay is only one case from west Cork. There was a strong campaign to oppose an oyster farm application for Clonakilty Bay, a special area of conservation, while groups in Kinsale are objecting to a planned mussel farm, an application about which there is confusion due to an error that took place regarding initial public notice regarding the aquaculture licence. I would appreciate if the Minister could examine whether the community has been left feeling unclear and disenfranchised. I hear what he said about the system, but these issues are symptomatic of a dysfunctional licence system. In 2017, a review recommended a complete reform of the system.

I accept that the Minister has to read out his prepared contribution about the system in place, but the system is leaving itself open to legal action and intervention from European authorities. This, as well as more than 20 salmon farms currently operating with expired licences and without environmental impact assessments, has not been addressed. I understand what the Minister said and that he has to make these points, but what is he doing to reform the system more broadly? The system is dysfunctional and cannot go on like this. The business in question is operating without licences or environmental impact statements and continuing to get licences at the expense of fishing communities, the environment and tourism in the area.

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