Noel O'Donovan (Fine Gael)

I rise to discuss an issue in the town of Kinsale. The town is widely known locally, nationally and internationally as a major tourism hub and place of immense beauty. It is the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way. An issue around the development of a commercial mussel farm at the gateway harbour entrance to the town has arisen in Kinsale. I am not a politician of protest and believe that working with others is how to achieve solutions, but this development in Kinsale has brought widespread frustration and anger within the community.It has actually brought unity in opposition to the granting of the aquaculture licence. This is a commercial application. It is not a private, local, indigenous fisherman looking to apply for a licence. It is a commercial venture that is located at the entrance to the harbour. For those who will not be familiar with Kinsale, there are Charles Fort and James Fort, locations of significant and historic importance in the Battle of Kinsale. Up to 60 acres of the sea bed is going to be taken up with this development. It will affect the local community and the business community. Up to 14 businesses use the wharf in Kinsale for commercial purposes. I support the local councillor Marie O'Sullivan, who is fighting to ensure this application, which is at appeal stage, is overturned.

I have serious questions for the Department as to how this licence was granted. It has sat in the Department's files and on desks for a number of years. Over 600 objections were received, yet a licence has been granted. While there will now be an independent process of appeal, last Friday we had a peaceful protest in Kinsale with more than 100 boats on the water and 500 people on the local beach. I want to put on record my objection to this application. This needs to be stopped for Kinsale. There is widespread agreement across politics, the local authority and the community in Kinsale that this has to be stopped. I will put down a Commencement matter for debate on the issue but I also wished to note my objection to it here today.