Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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235. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a proposal made by him (details supplied) in relation to the introduction of large scale offshore salmon farms off the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35637/13]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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An application by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) for an aquaculture licence for the cultivation of finfish near Inis Oirr in Galway Bay was received by my Department last year. The application and its accompanying Environmental Impact Statement are being considered under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and the 1933 Foreshore Act.

A determination in respect of the application will be made as soon as possible following completion of the necessary assessment process. This assessment process will take full account of all national and EU legislative requirements and will reflect the full engineering, scientific, environmental, legal and public policy aspects of the application.

As the application is under active consideration as part of the statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this time.