Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith anseo. Seo ceist a d'ardaigh mé tuairim agus bliain ó shin. Ceist í maidir le Cuan Baile na Cille i gConamara maidir leis an galar Ostreid herpes virus.

I have previously raised the issue of oysters in Ballinakill Bay in Connemara. It was probably this time last year. Up to a few years ago there was ongoing testing to ensure the bay was free of the ostreid herpes virus. Four years ago an infected oyster was found and the bay's disease free status was removed. The detection was made under an ongoing surveillance programme sponsored by the European Union and as a result, the bay's organic status was taken away. This time last year we questioned the efficacy of taking away this status. In other bays around the coast there had been a more serious outbreak of the virus and they had lost their disease free status. What happened in Ballinakill Bay seems to be an aberration because only one diseased oyster was found four years ago. Recent tests show that the bay has been clear of the virus for another year. The only time it was present was when it was discovered in one oyster four years ago. Can the issue of the status of the bay be revisited? Its status is important to oyster farmers in the area because it allows them to sell high quality oysters. There is also great potential to create more jobs by supplying seed oysters to oyster farms. It is important that the matter be revisited and the bay's disease free status reinstated. It is also a good opportunity to create employment and keep Ireland's image of being a clean and green environment for growing shellfish.