Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will prohibit hydraulic dredging for shellfish in the Portrane area, County Dublin, in view of the concerns that the impact of this activity so close to the shore is a factor in recent coastal erosion. [54980/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I believe that the Deputy is most likely referring to hydraulic dredging for razor clams, which occurs in shallow waters off the east coast from Howth to Dundalk. This fishery has been in place since the early 1980s and occurs on muddy seabeds where dense beds of razor clams exist. I am informed that this fishery is unlikely to contribute to the serious coastal erosion in the Portrane area, which was identified in this House as long ago as 1950. The fishery occurs sporadically in very local areas of seabed only and no sediments are taken from the area.