Save The Swilly September 17, 2001

SAVE THE SWILLY MEETS LABOUR PARTY

Save The Swilly has met the Labour Party spokesman on the environment, Eamon Gilmore TD, and Labour's NE Donegal candidate for the next general election, Jackie McNair, who will be setting Labour Party policy on Lough Swilly. The fruitful meeting forms part of Save The Swilly's strategy to explain its position to political parties ahead of the next election.

Mr Gilmore, who was Minister of State at the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources in the last government, told Save The Swilly representatives the Labour Party intended introducing legislation to formalise the concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM).

While the Coordinated Local Aquaculture Management Systems (CLAMS) is being sold by the current government as an element of ICZM, the reality is that it is the aquaculture industry's version of coastal zone management. The Labour Party and Save The Swilly are in agreement that the way forward for Lough Swilly is full consultation on all matters affecting the lough, without favouring or focusing on a single aspect, such as aquaculture.

Mr Gilmore said the sensible solution to Integrated Coastal Zone Management was to devolve decision-making to local authorities. Aquaculture licensing is controlled by the Department of the Marine in Dublin, which has jurisdiction below the high-water mark. The Donegal County Council is 'notified' of aquaculture applications and may submit comment, but there is no obligation on the licensing authority to take the local council's opinions into account.

Save The Swilly believes there should be a full and transparent debate on the future of Lough Swilly, and that elected representatives must be held responsible and accountable for decisions affecting this vital element of the lives of people resident in the area. This attitude will guide the group in establishing a political platform for the next election.

A Save The Swilly spokesperson thanked Mr Gilmore and Mr McNair for taking time to listen, and also for the support Mr McNair has consistently given to the group, which continues to press for an independent baseline study and environmental impact assessment for Lough Swilly before any further aquaculture licences are granted.

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)