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Hinchion, Geraldine
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sdp2014 05 May 2015 09:45 Hinchion, Geraldine FW: SDP2014-2020 2 sets of minuites of meeting between An Taoiseach and Marine H.pdf; Meeting with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and MH.doc
From: Billy Smyth [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 05 May 2015 09:34 To: sdp2014; [email protected] Subject: Fwd: SDP2014-2020
Forwarded message From: Billy Smyth <[email protected]> Date: Fri , M a y 1, 2015 at 12:09 P M Subject: SDP2014-2020
To: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], michael.obriainfSjec.uropa.eu, [email protected], [email protected]
Mr . Keith Kelleher Marine Agencies and Programme Division, Department o f Agriculture, Food and the Marine, National Seafood Centre, Clonakilty, Co.Cork.
REF . SDP2014-2020
Submission from Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages in relation to the Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 as proposed by Minister Simon Coveney and the Department o f Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages ( G B A S C ) is an organisation that was set up in January 2013 to oppose Minister Simon Coveneys proposal to put a 15,000 ton shallow water (18 to 36 metres deep) salmon farm in Galway Bay. G B A S C was set up with the support o f the majority o f Irish Angl ing Federations,Environmental organisations. Inshore Fishermen, tourists interests and others interested in the preservation o f Galway Bay and its waters. There are also proposals by Minister Coveney to develop mega salmon farms in Roaring Water Bay in Cork (5,900 tonnes), Inish Bofin/Inish Turk, Mayo (5,000 tonnes) and Go la Island, Donegal (5,000 tonnes)
As you can deduct from our title, we are very concerned with the proposals by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to increase open cage fin fish aquaculture in Irish waters and to use E U money to prop up this failing industry by setting up a stock insurance scheme "that would aid losses due to natural disasters, adverse climatic events, sudden water quality and quantity changes, diseases, and failure or destruction of production facilities for which the operator is not responsible." G B A S C object to the setting up o f the proposed insurance scheme on the grounds that.
No (1) With the frequency o f massive storms occurring along the West coast, such as the one that struck last
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G B A S C believe that i f all the grant aid/share capital and stock compensation were removed from salmon farm operators in Ireland and that i f a proper regulating system with fmancial penalties, was to be enforced, salmon farming could not survive in Ireland. Why does this industry have such huge influence over Govemment Ministers and Govemment Departments when other industries, which cant get flinding, are stmggling to survive? (Check document below)
G B A S C suggest that Minister Coveney not make any further funds available to the Irish Marine Institute to carry out more scientific research into the problems that salmon farmers are experiencing in relation to sea lice infestations, diseases etc. as all this research has already been carried out by Norwegian scientists. Norway has been farming salmon for a lot longer than Ireland and their scientists have a lot more experience in trying to solve the problems o f sea lice and disease than their counterparts in the Irish Marine Institute and still they (Norwegian scientists) have failed to fmd an answer. Lets not throw good money after bad.
G B A S C believes that the only afternative to open cage salmon farming is on land closed containment systems. This system is not perfect, as we w i l l still have the problem o f sourcing food to feed the farmed fish. A t least while we are trying to solve that problem, we would not have the problems from sea lice, disease, toxic pesticides and escapes o f farmed fish which have the potential to min other marine industries.
When w i l l Minister Coveney and the D A F M wake up and realise that the open cage salmon farming industry, is a weight around the neck of the Irish people and that it must be halted now, before it destroys our marine environment. E N D
B i l l y Smyth
Chairman Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages, 10 Colemans Rd, Shantalla, Galway. Phone 0863511628
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% AgricuHure, Department of
Our Ref: Your Ref:
AIE/14/023 Meeting Between An Taoiseach, IVIinisters and the CEO, Marine Harvest Group, Mr Al f -Helge Aarskog
Food and the Marine An Roinn
Bta agus Riara
Date: 11 July 2014
Mr Billy Smyth Chairman Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages 10 Colemans Road Shantalla Galway
Dear Mr Smyth
I refer to your request for information under the Access to Environmental Information Regulations
(5.1. 133 of 2007 - European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations
2007, implementing EU Directive 2003/4/EC). You requested the following:
"A meeting took place at Covernment Buildings on approximately tlie 31th of January last between An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Simon Coveney and Alf-Helge Aarskog CEO of Marine Harvest / am applying under the Aarhus Convention for the minutes or notes (if any) that were taken at the above mentioned meeting".
A final decision on your request was made today by the undersigned. Having considered your
request, my decision is to grant you access to the information sought. Attached find a copy o f the
Department's summary report o f the meeting in question.
If for any reason you wish to appeal this decision you may do so by writing to the Freedom of
Information Unit at the Department ofAgriculture, Food and the Marine, Grattan House, Grattan
Business Centre, Dublin Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois. You must make your appeal within one month
of this notification.
Yours sincerely,
JohnA Kelly
Department ofAgriculture, Food & the Marine
Aquaculture & Foreshore Management Division
National Seafood Centre
Clonakilty
Co Cork
An Roinn Talmhafochta,
Meeting between Marine Harvest Group and an Taoiseacli Government Buildings, 30 January 2014
S U M M A R Y R E P O R T Attendance: A n Taoiseach Minister Coveney Minister of State McGinley Deputy Joe M c Hugh Paul O' Brien, Dept. Taoiseach Maura Duf fy , Dept. Taoiseach Ceci l Beamish, D A F M John Quinian, D A F M
Alf-Helge Aarskog, C E O , Marine Harvest Group Jan Feenstra, C E O , Marine Harvest Ireland Catherine M c Manus, Technical Manager, M H I Pat Connors, Sales Director, M H I
1) Purpose of Meeting The meeting was held at the request of the company to discuss licensing and industry development issues associated with the company's operations in Ireland.
2) The Taoiseach explained that specific cases such as the Shot Head application could not be discussed in detail in view of the statutory basis of the assessment process. Appropriate regard would also have to be had for E U Directives and the role they played in the licensing system. However within these parameters everything was being done to remove obstacles for business. The Government was fu l ly supportive of the company's operations in Ireland and the employment that was created in coastal regions.
3) M r . Aarskog gave a broad overview of the company's global operations. In particular he cited Scotland, where the company had 500 employees and an £80 inill ion investment. The company was aware that its operations needed to be environmentally sustainable. The challenge for its operations in Ii-eland was the need for a 'predictable' licensing system which would facilitate investment. M r . Feenstra pointed to the disease control issue and said the company needed to spread its risk by having access to more sites and by changing the terms and conditions of its licences to better reflect technological advances. The company acknowledged the assistance and cooperation it received from the Department on the disease issue, especially in relation to sourcing fresh water supplies. The company ful ly supported the aims of Food H a i vest 2020. However, to achieve these production targets the company felt the industry needed a 'champion' to take a developmental role ( as distinct f rom the regulatory role) to drive forward the interests of the industi-y and to coordinate interactions with the E U Commission ( D G Environment) and Inland Fisheries Ireland. The company felt it important that there should be 'one voice' communicating with the Commission f rom h-eland in relation to the industry.
A
4) Minister Coveney pointed to the Government's decision to allocate Fisheries to a senior Minister which was a clear indication of the priority attached to the industry. He refened to the 2007 E C J Judgement against Lreland which necessitated the introduction of a very complex system of licensing. This had been negotiated with the Cominission and was the only practical way to proceed. It was clear that the system was achieving results as indicated by the fact that 115 licence determinations were made in 2012 and 137 in 2013. More than 200 hcence determinations were on track for this year. The system was not without frustration for everyone but there had been very significant advances made over the last two yeais. The Minister was hopeful that a determination could be made in respect of the Shot Head application by Easter. The licensing system in Ireland was operating under intense scrutiny and challenges from numerous N G O s which was not the case in Scotland. It was possible similar challenges would arise in Scotland in the future.
5) Minister Coveney noted the position of D G Mai-e in respect of increased aquaculture production but the fact was D G Enviroiunent had a different focus and this added to the complexities encountered. The Department was seeking to identify 'deep sea' sites for aquaculture which would be outside designated N A T U R A areas. The first of these was in Galway Bay and investigations were also ongoing by B I M and the M l in respect potential sites off Mayo and Donegal. The company said they would like to see the Marine Institute enter into a 'service agreement' with the Department which ensured the timely dehvery of scientific advice. The delay by the Institute in delivering advice on the Shot Head application made the overall system very unpredictable in terms of timelines, hi Scotland it took approximately 22 months to get a licensing determination. The company also felt it was losing maiket share because it could not guarantee supplies of fish to retailers. Minister Coveney and officials pointed to significant structural changes that had recently taken place within the Marine Institute which, it was expected, would enable the Instimte to respond faster to the Department.
6) The Depaitment pointed to the gap that existed between the total annual production of the industry (10,000 - 13,000 tonnes) and the amount of tonnage that was actually licensed ( approximately 32,000 tomies). The Department was working with B I M to identify hcensed sites which were under performing in terms of production and would examine all options for ensuring that the foreshore in question was ful ly utilised as envisaged in the licence. The successful example of Soutli Connemara could act as a template on how to proceed nationally.
7) The following measures/steps were agreed:
- The Department w i l l expedite its work on identifying under performing sites - The new structural changes in the Marine Institute w i l l be monitored to ensure
they produce a faster turn around on scientific advice. - The deep sea aquaculture initiative would be progressed in respect of Galway,
Mayo and Donegal - The Department would continue to engage with D C E N R in respect of the
angling perspective on the industry - Minister Coveney would be available to meet with the company again at the
March N A S F conference in Bergen
The Taoiseach would be willing to meet with M r . Aarskog again in six months to review the situation.
The company thanked the Taoiseach and the Ministers for the meeting which they regarded as very constructive.
Ends
Roinn an Taoisigh Department of the Taoiseach
14 July 2014
Mr Billy Smyth Chairman Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages 10 Colemans Road Shantalla Galway
Dear Mr Smyth,
I refer to the request which you made under the European Communities {Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2011 (S.l. No. 133 of 2007 and S.l . No. 662 of 2011) for access to records held by this Department relating to
"a meeting between An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, Minister Simon Coveney and Alf-Helge Aarskog, CEO Marine Harvest... I am applying under ttie Aarhus Convention forthe minutes or notes (if any) that were taken at the above mentioned meeting".
A final decision on your request was made today by the undersigned. Having considered your request, I have decided that you should be granted access to the Department's summary note of the meeting in question.
Under Article 11 ofthe AIE Regulations you have a right to seek an intemal review of this decision. Ari intemal review involves a complete reconsideration of the matter by a member of the staff of this Department, of the same or higher rank than the original decision-maker, who may affirm, vary or annul the original decision made. The decision of this review will be communicated to you within one month of receipt of your application for an internal review.
In the event that you wish to make such an appeal, you can do so by writing to the Infonnation Officer, Department of the Taoiseach, Government Buildings, Dublin 2 referring to this decision You must make this request within one month of the date of this notification, (the making of a late appeal may be permitted in appropriate circumstances).
Yours sincerely,
Maura Duffy Economic Policy
B Note of a meeting between Marine Harvest Ireland and the Taoiseach
Thursday, 30 January 2014@ 12noon, Sycamore Room
Attendance Taoiseach Minister Coveney Paul O'Brien, Taoiseach's Office Maura Duf^, Department of the Taoiseach Cecil Beamish, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine John Quinian, Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine
Marine Harvest Ireland: Alf-Helge Aarkog, CEO Marine Harvest Group Jan Feenstra, MD, Marine Harvest Ireland Catherine McManus, Technical Manager Pat Connors, Processing/Sales Director
The delegation was accompanied by: MoS McGinley Deputy Joe McHugh
The Taoiseach met the CEO from the Marine Harvest Group and a delegation from Marine Harvest Ireland, the largest producer of farmed salmon in the State, at their request. The Taoiseach welcomed the delegation to Govemment Buildings; outlined his support for the industry, and invited the company to outline their concerns. At the outset the CEO gave a profile of Marine Harvest Group (which operates in 22 countries), and in particular the Scottish operation which he stated produces 170, 000 tonnes of fish per annimi and employs 500 full time employees. He stated that he is would like to see the Irish operation grow and prosper in the same way but that there are structural challenges relating to licences that need to be addressed for this to happen.
The Group stated that delays in having applications for licences determined resulted in imcertainty for the company. They accepted that there is a need to adhere to the regulatory regime but lengthy delays (Shot Head application currently awaiting determination) undermined their business. They confirmed that they would work to reach industry targets but could only do this if licence applications were determined in a timely manner. They suggested that a champion for aquaculture be appointed to coordinate the work of the relevant Departments and agencies involved. Asked about the licences that were not being used by the company, the delegation stated that the old licences will not
accommodate new technology, were no longer fit for purpose, and the law goveming this needs to be amended.
Minister Coveney outlined all the work his Department is doing to modernise the licensing system. He referred to the new licence templates which are being implemented as existing licences fall to be renewed, and the one-on-one coordination group that his Department has put in place to deal with the key challenges facing the company. Recalling the outcome of the 2007 ECJ case which found that Ireland had failed to comply with the E U habitats directive in respect of aquaculture, the Minister stated that Ireland was now under much greater scrutiny by the Commission in this regard. Notwithstanding this, the Minister accepted that length of time for determination of a licence was too long. He stated that he has had a series of meetings with the Marine Institute in this regard and he would continue to work with other Departments and agencies Lo put an effective process in place that would allow the industry to growth and expand. In the meantime his Depaitment would continue to link smaller companies with licences, with Marine Harvest Ireland to increase productivity. He also confirmed that the company's current application would be determined by Easter 2014.
The Taoiseach expressed support for Minister Coveney's approach and invited the coinpany to meet again in 6 m.on;̂ s time to review progress.
Economic Policy 30 January 2014
n \
On the 30 January 2014 the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister Simon Coveney, Minister o f State M c Ginley and Deputy Joe M c Hugh met with Al f -Helge Aarskog, C E O , Marine Harvest (MH) Group, Jan Feenstra, C E O , Marine Harvest Ireland and 2 others from M H . We Galway Bay against Salmon Cages ( G B A S C ) believe that this meeting and subsequent meetings with M H should never have taken place while Minister Simon Coveney was adjudicating on the Galway Bay salmon farm licence. We believe that these meetings may have breached the rules in regard to the tendering regulations for salmon farm licences as according to B I M , 21 financiers have shown expressions o f interest in the Galway Bay project, a number o f which may also want to acquire the licence, and i f none o f these firms have had similar meetings with A n Taoiseach and Minister Coveney then we may be looking at another Esat Digifone type debacle.
There are a number of questions G B A S C would like answered and these are.
No 1. M H say they "needed a "Champion" to drive forward the interests o f the industry." Is this "Champion" non Irish speaking Junior Mini.ster .Joe M c Hugh? Minister M c Hugh has lobbied for M H for a number o f years and according to himself was the one that facilitated this meeting with the Taoiseach and Minister Coveney. Minister M c Hugh is now in charge o f Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) and Udaras N a Gaeltachta which has invested 1.3 mil l ion Euro in the 'South Cormemara' (Kilkieran) salmon farm alluded to in paragraph 6 on page 2 o f document A . Was Joe M c Hugh placed in charge of these ministries to keep I.F.I, in check as they oppose Coveneys mega farm proposals and "to drive forward the interests o f the industry and to coordinate interactions with the E U Commission ( D G Environment) and Inland Fisheries Ireland."(page 1, paragraph 3, document A ) .
No. 2. In paragraphs 5 and 7 page 2 o f document A , Minister Coveney pointed to significant structural changes that had taken place in the Marine Institute (MI) "to ensure they produce a faster turn around on scientific advice." Does this mean the science is now being tailored to suit salmon farming. How can we now trust the M l to deliver independent advice on anything got to do with salmon farming?
No. 3. In paragraph 3, page 1, document A , M H "acknowledged the assistance and cooperation it received from the Department in relation to the sourcing o f fresh water "(to treat Amoebic G i l l Disease) ( A G D ) . D id Minister Coveney or anyone else in his Department give permission to M H to take water from lakes and rivers along the west coast without planning permission. Environmental Assessments or Foreshore licences? IE. Loughaunore Lake in Kilkieran and Clare Island? If this was the case then this would be a serious matter for Minister Coveney.
No. 4. In paragraph 1, page 1 of document B . M H stated "they produce 170,000 tonnes o f fish per annum and employ 500 employees in Scotland." Minister Coveney and B I M have been saying that a 15,000 tonne salmon farm in Galway Bay wi l l also create 500 jobs. Who is telling the truth? If 500 jobs are created by producing 170,000 tonnes then 15,000 tonnes w i l l create only 45 jobs.
N o . 5. In paragraph 6, page 2 document A . "it points to the gap that existed between the total annual production o f the industry (10,000 - 13,000 tonnes) and of tonnage that was actually licensed (approximately 32,000 tonnes)." If the salmon farm industry cannot even reach 1/3 o f this quota why do they need another 15,000 tonne farm in Galway Bay? The answer to that question can be found in paragraph 3, page 1, document A . where M r Feenstra "pointed to the disease control issue and said the company needed to spread its risk by having access to more sites." What do they mean by spreading their risk? It means that i f you have 14 mil l ion salmon in cages in Galway Bay and 50% or more die from disease then you still have a massive amount left for market. No mention here o f the risk to wild salmon, sea trout or other marine species in our bays.
No . (6) In paragraph 3, page 2, document B . Minister Coveney refers to the one-on-one coordination group that his Department has put in place to deal with the challenges facing the C O M P A N Y . Why was this group set up to deal with the C O M A N Y and not the I N D U S T R Y ? Who are the members o f this coordination group and what are their posftions within Minister Coveneys Department?
I received the minutes o f the meeting on the 11 .Iuly and was shocked to discover 4 days later that Deputy Joe M c Hugh had been made Junior Minister in charge o f IFI. This to G B A S C was like putting the fox in charge o f the chickens.
Enda Kenny's plan to elect a "crony candidate" to the Seanad debacle, would pale into insignificance i f it were to be found that a minister was appointed at the request of a multinational company.
E N D
B i l l y Smyth
Chairman Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages
Phone 0863511628
Brian Curran P.R.O
Phone 0872509722
