Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This is the first public opportunity I have had to congratulate him on his new post. It is nice to have a fellow County Donegal man in Government. I am also delighted with my party leader's stance on the marine on which he has provided a full brief on the Front Bench to Deputy Perry.

The Fine Gael Party supports the Bill. It is sensible, logical, uncontentious and appropriate to many businesses involved in the aquaculture industry. The Minister of State is aware that County Donegal, more than other areas, faces challenges in terms of the multifaceted fishing industry, which extends from mussels and scallops to fish farming. We have a plethora of fishing interests in the county.

That public consultation involving all parties will take place on dumping at sea is a welcome development. I also welcome the move to enable the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to have the same control over archaeological heritage at sea as it currently has on land. We have many special interest groups, including deep sea divers who are interested in archaeological heritage off the coast.

I will be parochial and raise a minor issue involving dredging in Buncrana. Donegal County Council undertook a major lobbying effort on behalf of the RNLI, which was seeking a berth for a larger boat, and a new ferry which was about to come on stream. The matter went through a public consultation forum. Several errors were made in the beginning — hindsight is great — but the project was successful. What contribution does the Department make as regards the type of dredging used? According to local hearsay, a large amount of money has been invested in dredging. Re-silting will continue to be a problem and focus for the public. What will be the Department's input, in consultation with local authorities, as regards the type of dredging?