Sir, - Our public representatives have an unmerited reputation for "double speak", and this is quite clear from answers given, in the Dail by the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett (April 24th). He was answering questions concerning the damage done to fish cages at Mannin Bay, and with this context in mind, it is interesting to, look at two sentences in his statement.
The first says that: "The development of fallowing sites at sea farms is an internationally accepted fish husbandry/management strategy with demonstrable benefits for fish health and environmental standards."
"Fall owing" is a nice word for a dirty process. The caged fish are given food containing, I am told, a dye to redden their flesh, with chemicals added to discourage fish lice, and, together with the droppings of tens of thousands of fish the area around the cages becomes polluted. The fish fail to thrive and the cages have to be moved to a fresh site which in turn becomes polluted.
"Internationally accepted" is a term used to gloss over a practice which is nationally unacceptable; it also means a process which pleases the pockets of the financial ascendancy.
"Demonstrable benefits for environmental standards" makes no sense.
Obviously the Minister did not realise the import of these words put into his mouth by the faceless men behind the bureaux, who are nurtured on the "double speak". It is of course the "Yes Minister" syndrome in action.
The second notable statement from his answer says: "The Department and its agencies and technical services will continue to assist Mannin Bay Salmon Company Ltd., in every way possible."
This ignores the representations made by the citizens living in the locality for the preservation of the environment at Mannin Bay. I am told that none of these received an acknowledgment, let alone the reasons for the putting aside of their protests.
Curiously, the Department of the Environment is not concerned with the relocation of the fish cages and the potential damage to a fine strand. - Yours, etc.,
Furry Park,
Killester, Dublin 5.