Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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As the Minister will be aware, while many fish farms are welcomed by the communities in which they are situated, there have been concerns expressed about others. The Minister will be particularly aware of the proposal, supported by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, to allow a €60 million project to proceed in Galway Bay. While there is support for the project, particularly from the local processing sector, the project has also led to considerable opposition from some quarters, including those engaged in traditional fishing, who are concerned about the impact which the farmed fish will have on wild stocks. I also understand that Inland Fisheries has expressed its reservations.

Before a decision is made by the Minister I hope that we have a much wider debate on the proposal, one that involves all of the relevant bodies, groups and businesses which will be impacted if the farm goes ahead as currently proposed. The debate should include not only the relevant State authorities, but also the presentation of evidence from people concerned at the possible impact on wild stocks, a concern they say is based on research pertaining to similar fish farms in other countries. It is vital that such evidence is considered, as any depletion or contamination of wild stocks would have a detrimental impact on already existing fishing enterprises and on tourism and domestic and overseas anglers.

I am not opposed to fish farms and there are many instances where they have had a positive impact on local communities and have brought jobs. However, I have concerns over large projects and the impact they might have. I also understand there has been a suggestion that the project could be based onshore rather than in the bay and I wonder if any consideration has been given to that. I hope the Minister takes all of the concerns on board and that there is a fuller debate. What is required is a debate between the industry, the traditional fishermen and the scientists on the experience in other countries, such as Norway, Chile and Scotland, because this is a very contentious issue, particularly in Galway Bay.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this matter, one in which, given my constituency, I also have an interest. All applications for marine-based aquaculture licences are considered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in accordance with national and EU legislative provisions, which include: Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997; Foreshore Act 1933; the EU Habitats Directive of 92/43/EEC; the EU Birds Directive 79/409/EEC; and the Consolidated Environmental Impact Assessment Directives 2011/92/EU. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various statutory consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. All submissions received on foot of the consultation process are given the fullest consideration by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The EU birds and habitats directives are an important consideration for the licensing process. In 2007, the European Court of Justice issued a negative judgment against Ireland for breaches of the EU birds and habitats directives. At that point, the systems and data were not in place to enable consents for aquaculture in compliance with the relevant directives. As most aquaculture activity takes place in areas designated as special areas of conservation and-or special protection areas for birds, known as Natura 2000 sites, it is necessary to gather a substantial amount of scientific data in the bays. This data must be obtained in respect of the benthos and the birdlife of the bay under examination.

Once the data collection is complete, habitats maps are produced and conservation objectives are set by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. It is then necessary to undertake an "appropriate assessment" of the effects of aquaculture activity on these areas, in the context of the conservation objectives, before any new licence can be issued or any existing licence can be renewed. This process represents a major investment by the State to ensure the continued sustainable development of the aquaculture industry while maintaining the maximum protection for our coastal environment in accordance with the requirements of national and European legislation. An additional factor is that all fin fish aquaculture licence applications must be accompanied by an environmental impact statement. Because of issues associated with Natura 2000 areas, a substantial backlog has built up in the processing of applications for new licences and renewal of existing licences.

A crucial factor in addressing the backlog is the availability of appropriate assessments for sites located in Natura 2000 areas. The first stages of the work plan agreed with the EU Commission has focused, by necessity, on the collection of necessary benthic, ornithological and other data relevant to Natura sites. This data is required for the development of conservation objectives in those sites. This setting of conservation objectives allows the sites to be appropriately assessed. In summary, the availability of appropriate assessments will enable the progressive roll out of licensing determinations in line with Natura obligations providing all other licensing requirements have been met.

The steps in the process are as follows: -----

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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May I interrupt? The time is up and the Minister seems to have a lot more to say. Will he summarise what remains?

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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The response provided outlines the steps that must be taken and points out there is an independent body to adjudicate on issues. The Minister also adjudicates on licences and if an applicant is unhappy with a decision, the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, an independent body established under the provision of the Fisheries (Amendment ) Act 1997, is there to consider appeals on ministerial decisions in respect of aquaculture licence applications.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I represent the concerns of traditional fishermen, islanders in the Aran islands, inshore fishermen and anglers and other concerned groups in regard to the proposed project off the Aran Islands. This project is raising huge concern and there is a serious worry that it could contaminate the wild salmon. Like me, the Minister of State is well aware of the tremendous industry the wild salmon used to be for our coastal communities. That industry is in recovery, but there is concern that if there is any contamination, through sea lice or whatever, that would cause a further depletion of our wild salmon stocks and would be detrimental.

I fully appreciate there is huge emphasis on trying to create jobs, but it should not be jobs at any cost. If this project is to go ahead, it should be done following a full debate between the people involved, the traditional fishermen, the companies involved, like Bord Iascaigh Mhara which is behind the project, and all concerned stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, anglers and scientists. We need an open, full debate so that people can be satisfied that if we are taking this step, we are doing so with the right information.

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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There are many checks and balances when an application is being processed. Each application goes through statutory and public consultation, in accordance with the provision of the national legislation. In the case of proposed possible recommendations, specific draft licence conditions are prepared.

Each special condition is individually discussed with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and approved by the service. Typically, between ten and 20 special conditions feature in an individual licence. A recommendation is made to the Minister in respect of each application. The decision by the Minister in respect of a licence application much be published. All licences that are granted are subject to appeal to the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board, which is an independent body. It was established under the provisions of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 for the purpose of considering appeals against ministerial decisions on aquaculture licence applications. There is no doubt that it is a fairly drawn-out process. There are checks and balances to ensure all interests are adequately considered. I thank Deputy Ferris for raising this matter. The entire reply will be made available to him.