A COMMUNITY group has been formed to challenge the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s decision to allow the first of at least eight oyster farming applications in the Rossbeigh, Glenbeigh and Dooks area.
The group has highlighted the fact that it is a special area of conservation, a special protection area and a Ramsar site and they have notified the public that they only have until February 28 to lodge objections to the application.
Save This Beach group spokesman, Maurice Murphy, maintains that the manner in which the department is dealing with the licence applications is shutting out the public and is in total contravention of the public participation directive.
“An integral part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive for SAC areas is to ensure the fullest possible public participation in the decision-making process. The group challenges the process whereby public consultation takes place after a ministerial decision has been taken,” he said.
The group has highlighted the fact that Rossbeigh has experienced significant shifting sands in the last few years and they believe the site to be unviable.
They are planning a protest and fundraising walk on the beach on Sunday, February 18 (2.00pm) and the plan is for the three communities to meet to highlight their concerns.
The Save This Beach group has garnered the support of hundreds of locals, businesses and tourists who believe that this highly pristine area should be protected from industrial aquaculture.
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