Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how he proposes to protect the livelihoods of the 130 people on 32 fishing boats in Galway Bay dependent on the high-value sustainable crab, lobster and shrimp fisheries from the impact of the use of pesticides required to kill infestations of sea lice, which are also crustaceans, by the operators of the proposed Galway Bay open-cage salmon farm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44920/13]

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. All applications for aquaculture licences are referred to a wide range of consultees for comment. These include, inter alia, the Marine Institute, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the Department of Environment Community and Local Government, Fáilte Ireland, An Taisce and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. In addition the legislation provides for a period of general public consultation. My Department's Engineering Division also provides technical advice on each application.

In relation to sea lice, Ireland's sea lice control protocols are operated by the Marine Institute. These protocols are considered to be more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:

- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.

- Data obtained as a result of inspections is published and made widely available.

- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.