Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if the review of the aquaculture operation in Ardgroom Harbour at Beara in West Cork has been completed; and if new applications will be considered. [11692/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The review of licensed aquaculture operations in Ardgroom Harbour is ongoing and the Department is in the process of drafting proposals for a more productive and efficient disposition of longlines in the area. It will also be a central objective of these proposals to ensure that navigational safety is optimised, visual impacts are minimised and aquaculture operations are managed in a manner which respects the interests of other users of the harbour.

The Department will meet the aquaculture operators in Ardgroom in the near future to discuss these matters, and will seek a commitment from them that their operations will be conducted in accordance with best practice.

Until this process has been completed, the Department considers that it would be inappropriate to process new licence applications for Ardgroom. However, the Department is considering applications received in respect of sites in the nearby Kenmare River.