Aquaculture Licences

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 December 2013

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Questions (296)

Clare Daly

Question:

296. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has notified the applicant for a company (details supplied) in County Galway and all those who have made submissions or observations in relation to the application of the reasons it has not been possible or appropriate to determine the application within four months; and if he has specified the date before which he intends the application to be determined, in accordance with the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. [54880/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Section 13 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act, 1997 sets down timeframes within which the Minister shall endeavour to determine an application for an aquaculture licence.

However, in the absence of a commencement order, there is no statutory timeframe in force for the determination of applications for aquaculture licences under the Act. Every effort is made by my Department to expedite the determination of all applications submitted to my Department having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all relevant national and EU legislation.