Michael Finucane
Question:127 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for the Marine the status of an application for an aquaculture licence for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9485/95]
Written Answers. - Aquaculture Licence.
An application was received in January 1995 from the person concerned seeking licensing permission under the Foreshore and the Fisheries Acts to engage in the cultivation of oysters on trestles.
Applications for licences to engage in shellfish farming are subject to evaluation by the Aquaculture Licence Vetting Committee, a multidisciplinary advisory body, which brings together relevant expertise from within the Department of the Marine and from the Central Fisheries Board. Applications are assessed from all technical, scientific and other relevant perspectives to determine the suitability of proposals. This evaluation process is further informed by a public consultation process.
The application raised by the Deputy is being progressed through this assessment/evaluation process. The application proceeded to the public notice stage on 17 May last when notice of the development proposals was published in The Kerryman newspaper. Interested parties have 21 days from the date of publication in which to submit objections or representations in respect of the application. All comments lodged on foot of this public notice process are rigorously assessed by the Department and inform the ultimate decision making process on licensing applications. I would like to assure the Deputy that every effort is being made to process this application as expeditiously as possible.