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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Kinsale mussel farm guidelines

Summary

Deputy Collins raised concern in west Cork about a proposed mussel farm off Kinsale harbour and asked whether stricter guidelines could be introduced. The Minister said he could not comment on the live application, was aware of the issues, and had no plans to change the guidelines.

On page 47 of the programme for Government ambitious tourism policy goals by 2025 are set. We have a major tourism threat in west Cork and it is an issue I raised with the Taoiseach two weeks ago. There are major concerns in Kinsale about a proposed mussel farm off Kinsale harbour, which will cover a vast area of sea and will lead to huge consequences for the Kinsale community. I know the Tánaiste cannot comment on live planning issues while they are ongoing. Last Sunday, I attended a public meeting in Union Hall with local inshore fisherman, local tourism operators and local people in opposition to another oyster farm proposed by a French company that would cover an area from Union Hall to Castlehaven, which would have huge consequences locally. It is widely known that planning regulations in other European countries are now very strict, thus in the past month companies have made three applications in west Cork as Ireland's planning guidelines on oyster and mussel farms are far too lax. To save the livelihoods of inshore fisherman, tourism operators and local people in Union Hall, Castlehaven and Kinsale, will the Government work with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to put in place stricter planning guidelines for these oyster and mussel farms?

Comment on this
Michael Creed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Fine Gael

The Deputy is right that I cannot comment on current planning applications but I am aware of the issues to which he has referred.

Comment on this

I did not ask the Minister to comment on that. I asked him whether he will work to put in place stricter guidelines as other European countries are doing.

Comment on this

I have no plans to change the guidelines. I will consider all issues relating to any individual planning application in due course.

Comment on this