64 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine which legislation he intends to use to grant a fish culture licence to a company (details supplied) for its proposed expansion programme in Lough Swilly, County Donegal.

65 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Marine if he intends to designate Lough Swilly, County Donegal as suitable for aquaculture.

I have no plans to utilise the designation process in relation to Lough Swilly. Industrial applications for licences to engage in shellfish and finfish aquaculture within the Lough will continue to be assessed, and processed on a case by case basis under the Fisheries Act and the Foreshore Act. Where required this involves the statutory Environmental Impact Assessment — EIA — process which includes a full public consultative process.

The specific application to which the Deputy refers is currently undergoing the statutory EIA process as part of my Department's overall assessment of the proposal. I will make no decision as to the granting of a licence to the company in question pending the completion of the public consultations and technical and other assessments.