Vol. 576 No. 5
309 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the transfer procedure for sites on Carlingford Lough in respect of Carlingford Lough Co-operative Society will be complete; the length of time the process has taken to date; and the reason for the extraordinary delay in this process. [30002/03]
The proposed alteration of the area licensed to the Carlingford Lough Shellfish Co-operative for the bottom cultivation of mussels, together with an application from the co-operative for an aquaculture licence for an additional area for that purpose, has been under consideration by my Department in conjunction with applications for aquaculture licences from other persons interested in engaging in such aquaculture in the lough.
The examination of the applications in question has, as with aquaculture licence applications generally, involved the consideration of a wide range of issues, including the possible implications of the proposed aquaculture for wildlife, archaeology and navigation. In addition, it has been necessary for my Department, with the assistance of the Loughs Agency, to address certain overlaps in the areas applied for. Consideration of the applications is now being finalised and decisions on them will be conveyed to the applicants shortly.
