Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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5. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the salmon farm proposed for the Aran Islands would have a capacity of 15,000 tonnes and that this size would make it the largest such facility in Europe and more than seven times bigger than the largest facility in Scotland which has a 2,000 tonne capacity. [53197/13]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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This question also relates to the licence application for a salmon farm off the Aran Islands. It is proposed that the facility will have a capacity of 15,000 tonnes, making it the largest salmon farm in Europe and more than seven times the size of the largest salmon farm in Scotland. I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter, including the issues raised by many people in respect of size.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am fully aware of what is proposed in the project in question. The proposal relates to a new type of salmon farming which would involve moving salmon cages further offshore into much deeper water. Based on this approach, it is proposed to allow larger-scale salmon farming to take place. The idea behind this type of salmon farming is to move projects out of special areas of conservation and Natura areas into open waters, albeit within reason as some degree of shelter is required. That is the policy thinking behind the proposal from the applicant's point of view.

My job is to assess whether the proposal holds up from a scientific, environmental and commercial point of view. I must also consider weather factors such as exposure to the elements on the west coast. I rely heavily on the scientists in my Department and the Marine Institute, with which my Department is linked, who are working hard on this issue. The process is taking time because they have not dealt with such an application previously. I am confident that when I receive a file and recommendation, the Department will be able to make a balanced judgment on whether the proposal is appropriate or needs to be downsized or rejected.

While the proposed salmon farm is larger than projects elsewhere in Europe, we have some large projects off the west coast. The salmon farm off Clare Island, for instance, is of a significant scale. I accept, however, that this proposal is bigger, bolder and more ambitious than anything we have seen previously. As the person with the legal responsibility to make a balanced judgment on whether to grant the licence, my job will be to approve or amend the licence and I will do so when I have received sufficient information to make an informed judgment. If people are not satisfied with my judgment, an independent appeals board will subsequently assess the matter.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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I tabled this question following a visit to Scotland in recent weeks by members of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, including Deputy Ó Cuív and me.

We met representatives of the industry and people involved in the scientific and political aspects of it. They expressed amazement of the proposed size of the farm off the coast of Galway and the weather and environmental factors. They asked about the consequence of a mass escape from the farm and the risks of sea lice. Compared with Ireland, Scotland has a huge farmed salmon industry over a total area of 400 hectares. I do not have the exact figures for the Galway proposal but it will be of a huge scale. Many of us are concerned about what could happen and two State agencies are giving different vibes on the matter.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I do not think people should be criticised for ambition. If this project is doable, we have an obligation to consider it. If it does not make sense from an environmental or management perspective or because of sea lice or other technical issues, I will not allow it to proceed. A high bar must be crossed to get a licence for a project of this scale, or anything around salmon farming, because we have a gold-plated licensing system for aquaculture.

In regard to the exposure, I understand the benchmark for levels of exposure is the Clare Island site. The salmon farm there is well run and is considered to have levels of exposure with which we could work. Other sites in open water with the same or lower levels of exposure have been explored.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I call Deputy Ferris.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the final point-----

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am trying to make time for other Deputies.

Martin Ferris (Kerry North-West Limerick, Sinn Fein)
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Nobody is criticising ambition or is opposed to developing the best possible industry. Those of us who come from coastal communities in the west would love to see something working at its maximum potential. My concern is that the presentation from Bord Iascaigh Mhara, which was excellent, was at odds with the position taken by another State agency. The maximum size in Scotland is 2,000 tonnes but we are proposing 15,000 tonnes. As elected representatives, we have an obligation to protect what is left of wild salmon. Some of the salmon coming up the rivers in Scotland have no historical connection to their spawning grounds. The Scottish experts were unable to explain that. Some of the salmon may have arrived due to cross-contamination or escapes. These issues must be taken into account.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I accept the Deputy has raised genuine concerns, which I share and which is why we must be rigorous in our assessment of proposals of this nature. It is important to put Scotland in context. Scotland may not have farms that produce more than 2,000 tonnes but it produces 140,000 tonnes of salmon per year. Ireland produces 12,000 tonnes. It may be in Scotland's commercial interest not to have significant development in Ireland. Its industry is growing rapidly, with approximately 40 cages put into the water this year. When one adds up all the farms, many of which are located close to each other, there is a significant industry. We have a relatively small industry and we are looking for the most sustainable ways to develop it. Perhaps this licence is not the way to go but we will have to await the assessment. I am sure we will have many more debates on the issue when I get an opportunity to make an informed decision on the licence. We have an obligation to keep an open mind both to the criticisms and to those promoting the project. I certainly have an open mind and will make an informed choice when I see the science behind it.