Vol. 465 No. 6
322 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for the Marine the legislative plans, if any, he has in respect of the aquaculture industry, particularly the system of granting aquaculture licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10117/96]
The Government recently approved the drafting of legislation which will amend the Fisheries Acts, 1959 and 1980, to establish an enhanced regulatory and licensing process for aquaculture. The new legislation will help to securely underpin the industry's development by providing a more effective framework for licensing decisions.
A thoroughgoing overhaul of the existing legislation is agreed by all interests to be essential, not least to address the highlighted deficiencies of licensing procedures but also to take into account new thinking on planning and environmental issues as well as significant technical advances in aquaculture itself. While there are many complex issues involved our objective is to strike the necessary balance between the essential development needs of the industry and the acknowledged interests of concerned parties to ensure that development is planned and regulated in a sustainable way. The Department will continue to deploy the necessary resources, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, to finalise drafting of this major and complex piece of legislation at the earliest possible date.
