Aquaculture Licences.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2010

Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Questions (300, 301)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

365 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) was granted a salmon farm licence on 15 November 2001 and the company in question has been dissolved since 14 November 2008; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that this site has not been operated by the licensee or a third party since November 2003 and no activity has taken place on the site in question for more than seven years and the licensee is no longer in existence; if he will proceed to revoke the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5511/10]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

The status of aquaculture licences held by companies deemed to be dissolved has been under ongoing consideration by my Department in conjunction with its legal advisers.

The possible non-use of the site referred to by the Deputy is being pursued by my Department in parallel with the general issue of dissolved companies.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

366 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food further to Parliamentary Question No. 951 of 19 January 2010, if the salmon aquaculture licence (details supplied) at Deenish Island in County Kerry was revoked in December 2006 following a two year period when no aquaculture took place; if the licence was not revoked in 2006, the reason he did not revoke the licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5512/10]

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Deputy Brendan Smith)

The licence in question has not been revoked.

The possible revocation of the licence in this case has been under consideration by my Department having regard to all the circumstances as set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1160/10. My Department is continuing to examine the matter from both the public policy and legal perspectives.