Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for his positive support. I reassure Senator Walsh that there is no question of decommissioning and leaving facilities in situ if they are at variance with our environmental legislation. We have to deal with the safety plans as well. I take on board what he is saying with a certain degree of scepticism. I deal with fish farms under my own brief, and there is a problem in Bartra Bay in Connemara where fish tanks are floating around the bay and causing a hazard to marine navigation. The relevant authorities have not tidied up the situation, even though some of the companies involved were funded by the State through Údarás na Gaeltachta. Their fish tanks are lying around the bay and they represent a potential hazard. I brought this matter to the attention of the relevant authorities, but I am not convinced that action has been taken. We cannot leave ourselves in a situation where structures are left in a marine environment or another environment and are not being addressed by the relevant authorities.