Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013
203. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the licensee of the salmon farming site (details supplied) has paid all arrears for this licence up to date and if not, what are the outstanding arrears associated with the said licence and if he will permit the restocking of this site prior to the full payment of licence arrears. [34038/13]
View answer204. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date the licensee of the salmon farming site (details supplied) applied for a renewal of the said licence; and if he has made a decision regarding its renewal. [34039/13]
View answer205. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he revoked the licence in respect of salmon farming site (details supplied) as per section 69 (2) of the Fisheries Amended Act 1997, given that the site in question has not been stocked with salmon since 2004; if he did not revoke the licence, the reasons for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34040/13]
View answer206. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will confirm when he was informed of the decision of the licensee of the salmon farming site (details supplied) to reopen this site; if he is aware that the licensee has recently moved equipment onto the site in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34041/13]
View answer207. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is aware when the licensee of the salmon farming site (details supplied) intends to stock this site; if it is the licensee's intention to keep salmon of the same generation or different generation from fish that are grown in the neighbouring site. [34042/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 203 to 207, inclusive, together.
Fees in respect of aquaculture licences are payable in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. My Department takes a pro-active approach in respect of the collection of fees. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular case in view of the commercial sensitivities that may be involved. My Department received an application for the renewal of the licence in question on 7 February, 2011. The renewal application is currently under consideration in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act and relevant EU legislation.
My Department has put in place a scheduled system of integrated inspections of all aspects of aquaculture operations. This is designed to further enhance monitoring and regulatory standards, practices and procedures. This detailed process includes the status of the sites by reference to Section 69 (2) of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act. This process is ongoing in the case of the site referred to by the Deputy. My Department has been advised by the Marine Institute that fish were moved by the operator into the site referred to by the Deputy, between 10 June 2013 and 21 June, 2013. This fish movement was authorised by the Marine Institute in accordance with the European Communities (Health of Aquaculture Animals and Products) Regulations 2008, S.I. No. 261 of 2008, as amended by S.I. No. 389 of 2010 and S.I. No. 430 of 2011.
