Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding salmon farming; when a final decision will be made regarding the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has submitted an application to my Department for an Aquaculture and a Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay. An application by Marine Harvest (Ireland) for an aquaculture and Foreshore Licence for the cultivation of Finfish at a site in Bantry Bay has also been received by my Department. These applications and their accompanying Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) are currently being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act as amended.

The legislation provides for extensive consultation with stakeholders, including Inland Fisheries Ireland, which has responsibility for wild salmon stocks. The legislation also provides for a period of general public consultation. The public consultation stage of the process in respect of both applications is now complete and submissions received are under active consideration by my Department. All matters associated with the applications including the impact, if any, on wild salmon stocks, will be given very careful consideration by my Department. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on these applications which are under active consideration as part of a statutory process.