Save The Swilly 22 March 2001

SAVE THE SWILLY PRESENTS PETITION

Phil Coulter, one of Ireland's foremost musicians, today accompanied a delegation from Save The Swilly to Dail Eireann, where it presented a petition containing over 8,400 signatures addressed to the Minister for the Marine, Frank Fahey. Mr Coulter was joined in support of the group by another prominent musician with Donegal links, Paul Brady.

Mr Coulter, who has professed his support for Save The Swilly, an umbrella body comprising 29 groups representing thousands of members, said he agreed with all the aims and objectives of Save The Swilly. He is especially concerned about the risks to marine safety in Lough Swilly from drifting barrels, mussel lines, salmon nets and other flotsam from the existing aquaculture installations in the bay.

"We are calling on the government to take a step back from its licensing programme in Lough Swilly and allow an independent study to be conducted. The public must be fully informed about the environmental and marine safety risks associated with unchecked expansion of shellfish and salmon farming," Mr Coulter said.

A spokesperson for Save The Swilly welcomed Phil Coulter's commitment to the aims and objectives of the group. "Phil Coulter has impeccable credentials in speaking for the people around Lough Swilly. No one can deny his deep attachment to the area, and his unselfish support for the best interests of all users of the lough."

According to the spokesperson, the overwhelming majority of comments received by Save The Swilly on its website and from flyers circulated around Lough Swilly over the past two months endorse the group's position. "Save The Swilly has every confidence that Mr Fahey will recognise the legitimate concerns of a wide cross-section of this community and agree to an independent study of Lough Swilly," the spokesperson added.

The government's claim that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) conducted by an aquaculture applicant some years ago met the needs of the area is disputed by Save The Swilly. "That EIS is dated, it is biased in favour of the industry and it ignores entirely the subject of shellfish farming. We are seeking a genuinely independent study, and we are at a loss to understand why the Department of the Marine is so afraid of such an exercise," the Save The Swilly spokesperson said.

The petition remains open, and a copy will be submitted to the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament. Save The Swilly invites anyone interested to visit its website, at www.loughswilly.com.

SAVE THE SWILLY contacts:

Email: info@loughswilly.com
Phone: Tony Morrison (353) 07493-63733
Phone: John Mulcahy (353) 07491-59113; (353) 086-2808636
Address: c/o Buncrana Anglers Association,
Castle Lane, Buncrana, Co. Donegal
Website: www.loughswilly.com

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Archived Press Releases:

September 25, 2006
Oyster crisis exposes "shambles" in management of Swilly

July 11, 2005
Attempt to double salmon-farming output in Lough Swilly

August 23, 2004
Which part of "No" don't they understand?

June 2, 2004
Coulter calls for political change in Donegal

December 15, 2003
Portsalon salmon-farming licence refused by ALAB

November 05, 2003
Sea Trout and Wild Salmon have been Victims of 'Ethnic Cleansing' - FISSTA

September 24, 2003
Prime Time Exposes Aquaculture's Shortcomings

July 24, 2003
Save the Swilly Calls for Farmed Salmon Mortality Monitor

July 21, 2003
Another Disaster in Inver Bay - Inquiry Essential

July 17, 2003
Rural Development Towards Sustainability

February 8, 2003
Save the Swilly Meets Inishowen Politicians

February 3, 2003
Blue Flag Beach Threatened by 80-Acre Fish Farm

January 29, 2003
Save the Swilly 10,000-Signature Petition Accepted by Europe

January 28, 2003
New Alliance Formed in Swilly

December 16, 2002
"Stop Ripping Up the Swilly" Indigenous People Demand

December 13, 2002
Lough Swilly's Indigenous Fishermen Speak Out

October1, 2002
Public Meeting to Discuss Integrated Coastal Zone Management

September 25, 2002
Save the Swilly Welcomes the Strategy on Coastal Zone Mangement

August 12, 2002
Integrated Coastal Zone Management Proposal Launched

August 2, 2002
Questions over decomposing salmon in Inver Bay

June 3, 2002
No Room for Tradition in Lough Swilly

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly opts for "Swilly First"

May 3, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate withdraws

May 1, 2002
Save the Swilly/Green Party candidate to contest Donegal North-East

April 18, 2002
Coulter to be "Ambassador at Large" for Save the Swilly

March 25, 2002
Save The Swilly presents 10,000-signature petition to EU

March 12, 2002
Study of Lough Swilly launched

November 30, 2001 STS letter to Hugh Byrne, Minister for State for the Department of the Marine

November 27, 2001 ICZM and OSPAR - not Clams - for Swilly

October 17, 2001 Salmon farm wants still more licences inshore

September 17, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Labour Party

September 13, 2001 Save the Swilly meets Minister of State Byrne

September 1, 2001 Save the Swilly begins fundraising drive

August 28, 2001 Save the Swilly welcomes I.F.A. initiative

May 15, 2001 Expansion of salmon farming tragic for Swilly

April 9, 2001 Mussel barrels adrift in Lough Swilly

March 22, 2001 Save the Swilly presents petition

March 13, 2001 Save the Swilly questions Minister Byrne

March 11, 2001 Save the Swilly reaffirms call for moratorium

February 20, 2001 Launch of Save the Swilly website

January 24, 2001

January 16, 2001 Delegation meets Minister Hugh Byrne

January 9, 2001 Save The Swilly
(from looking like Mulroy Bay)